Trussville Mayor Buddy Choat held a news conference Tuesday morning.
Watch full news conference here:
This is in response to a threat made by a student at the school last year.
The mayor says only 3 people knew about the book. All of which worked for the school system.
The book written last school year was said to have been in Hewitt Trussville High School principal's desk drawer.
It wasn't until the author of the book was reported to law enforcement last week for yet another threat, that the book was brought to the attention of law enforcement.
Now parents say their trust for their school system has diminished.
"I think they’ve not only failed the current students and the system as a whole. I think they failed that child and his parents,” said parent Michael Kidd.
The city says they plan to play a role in rebuilding that trust by holding a number of meetings to ensure communication between law enforcement and the schools are happening correctly.
“Everything was in place to handle this properly but it was just a total lack of communications or an unwillingness and a judgement call that was admitted to have been a mistake," said Mayor Choat.
With the Uvalde, Texas shooting still fresh on the country's mind, parents say someone needs to be held accountable for this mistake.
"I believe that the school could have definitely handled this better. [They could have] gotten the police involved and they didn’t. Someone needs to be held accountable,” said parent Mindie Goodell, "I don't want a school where I have to wake up and I get the text from my daughter saying we're on lock down because this kid really did take action."
Trussville Police Department Chief Eric Rush says it's up to the school board to decide if the student will be allowed to return to school.
Trussville police are offering to conduct a mental assessment prior to that decision being made.
According to the office of the superintendent, Principal Tim Salem has been placed on administrative leave until further notice.
Joy Young, a current assistant principal, will be the acting principal at HTHS during this time.
See statement from Superintendent's office below...
Principal Tim Salem is placed on administrative leave until further notice. Joy Young, a current
assistant principal, will be the acting principal at HTHS during this time.
Safety remains a first priority, and your students have been and will continue to be safe at
HTHS.
I met with Mr. Salem earlier today and his message to the faculty and staff is below:
Dear HTHS Staff,
I wanted you to know that I’ll be on administrative leave effective immediately and Joy Young
will be the acting principal while I am away. We are off to such a great start to our school year
and we have some important testing coming up regarding the Pre-ACT. I want everyone to
continue to stay the course with teaching and learning. Mrs. Young will do a wonderful job and
will have the full support of central office. It is an honor and privilege to work with all of you and
I know that our students and parents are in good hands.
Sincerely,
Tim Salem