Williamson County Schools is releasing a series of videos encouraging parents to have “the talk” with their children — but not about the birds and the bees. Instead, the district is asking parents to get more involved with school safety.
The videos inform parents on some of the district’s most pressing school safety issues. These range from explaining certain school security measures to warning about risky behavior among students.
For example, in one video, Williamson County Sheriff’s Office detective Raechel Haber explains the severe consequences that come with making threats at a school.
“There’s a new law in Tennessee, and any student who makes a threat of mass violence — that’s a threat to two or more people — will be sent to the alternative learning center for 180 days.”
Threats and drug-related activity can also result in felony charges against students, the videos say. A handout from the district states that law enforcement investigated about 250 student threats last school year, resulting in approximately 45 arrests.
Other videos explain “sexting” and “sextortion,” in which students may take or send sexually explicit images. They warn that students can later be coerced or blackmailed by somebody threatening to share the photos publicly.
During a news conference, Williamson County Sheriff Dusty Rhoades shared this advice for parents:
“You have to have these talks with your children. And don’t be — don’t be afraid to ask for their cell phones. Which is more important? Your child’s privacy or your child’s safety and future?”
Superintendent Jason Golden said the video series emphasizes the importance of collaborating with families.
“We know that when our parents get together with our students, when our parents get together with our faculty and staff, and when our whole community works together, that we can grow student safety.”
This video campaign comes at a time when many parents are especially focused on school safety. The Covenant School shooting in March prompted the legislature to pass new safety requirements at schools across the state.
Reporters asked members of WCS leadership and local law enforcement whether they will implement any new security measures when classes start on Friday.
“I’m glad to say there’s not going to be a lot of new things,” said Michael Fletcher, the district’s director of safety and security. “They’re going to be ongoing, continuous things that we’ve been doing for years here in Williamson County to protect our staff and students.”
For example, every school in the district will continue to have a school resource officer. Local law enforcement is still hiring for a couple of those positions, but says other officers will fill in until they are staffed.
“I’d like to emphasize that we don’t have school safety solved. This is a constant effort,” Golden said in closing. “I can’t predict the future, but I know that we need to be on this journey. And every time we have an opportunity to improve our students’ sense of safety, we need to take that opportunity.”
Parents can view all the videos by clicking here.
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