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Trussville parents are still seeking answers after a city investigation revealed that school staff were made aware of a student’s concerning behavior, but did not notify parents or other staff until the student apparently again threatened to harm others.
After investigating a recent threat that the student planned to “do harm at the school,” police discovered that at least three Trussville school staff knew about the student’s “death notebook” – which contained the names of 37 classmates he allegedly wanted to kill – for nearly a year and did not report it, city officials told reporters Tuesday.
The student was charged with a felony, but the case was dropped due to an Alabama law on terroristic threats. He is not being identified because he is a juvenile and no case is currently pending.
Police confirmed that the student is not at the high school any more and is receiving counseling. A principal involved in the matter is now also on administrative leave, according to an email sent to parents Tuesday.
“We dodged a bullet. I truly mean that,” Mayor Buddy Choat said at a Tuesday morning press conference. “We dodged a situation that we wouldn’t need to have this meeting today if it had been handled properly.”
Parents said they need more information, and better information, about potential threats to their children.
“They can take their time gathering answers, but they can’t wait to let parents know that it’s safe to come to school,” said Kristi Jones, who has four children in the school system.
‘Total lack of communication’
Friday, Sept. 16, Choat said the city was notified that a threat had been made by the student to allegedly “do harm at the school.” On Monday, Sep. 19, the city was called in to investigate and reportedly resolved the situation on Wednesday, Sept. 21.
The student’s home was searched and Choat said police did not find anything other than a handgun belonging to the father. The city then presented evidence to the district attorney, Choat said, who declined to move forward with a case against the student.
Choat said that after the investigation, the principal, Tim Salem, told officials about a notebook of the student’s, containing evidence of possible threats against other students and people.
According to Choat, the notebook was originally discovered on Oct. 21, 2021, after it was reported by another student who went to a teacher, who reported it to the counselor, who then brought the notebook to Salem.
Salem reportedly told officials this week that he kept the notebook in a drawer in his office after it was brought to him, but realized he made a mistake after the most recent threat. Choat said police confirmed three staff members in total knew about the notebook, but said none of those included anyone in the central office.
“Everything was in place to handle this properly, but it was just a total lack of communication, or an unwillingness and a judgment call that has been admitted to have been a mistake,” Choat said.
Parents said they received no direct communication from the school after the incident, until Superintendent Pattie Neill released a statement to reporters on Monday evening, explaining that the notebook was found last year, and that the student had completed the 2021-22 school year with “no further disciplinary problems.”
“In hindsight, the SRO and central office administration should have been made aware of this book and TV series so the threat assessment protocol could be fully implemented,” Neill said in the statement.
“Again, TCS is committed to continuing a safe school environment in all grade levels. All of our students are safe, every day. We are so grateful to have 7 SRO’s in 5 schools. In the coming weeks, we will once again review our safety protocols and work with Chief Rush and his officers to make sure all protocols are followed.
“We understand that parents are concerned, we understand their disappointment and we are committed to improvement. School safety continues to be our 1st priority.”
‘A change at the top’
Parents at the meeting said they felt the school’s response was vague, and they questioned the city’s account that the central office was not aware of the notebook when it was originally found.
Choat said the city did not check any emails or communications from board personnel and high school staff. No member of the school board or central office was present for the conference Tuesday.
Jessie Odell, a parent of a tenth grader, called the called press conference a “snow job,” and said that the only thing he and other parents would tolerate is “a change at the top.”
“I kind of feel like Tim Salem is a sacrificial lamb in all of this,” he said, noting that the principal had been “excellent and very communicative.”
“Our issues are much higher up, and the city’s going to have to take responsibility for that.”
Odell and others will be headed to a city council meeting Tuesday evening to seek further answers about the board’s involvement, and to question current policy about school and city communications.
According to Alabama law, principals must notify appropriate law enforcement officials when any person violates a local board or education policies concerning drugs or alcohol, or after a threat or incident of physical harm to a person.
In 2020, The Trussville City Council approved a proposal for a Memo of Understanding between the city’s school resource officers and the school system, which aimed to enhance student safety and communications between law enforcement agencies and the school system.
A previous version of that agreement, according to the local news, required that the police would have to consult with the school system before releasing any information to the public.
Police Chief Eric Rush, who also has a child at the high school, confirmed at the conference Tuesday that the previous agreement was changed after his approval, but said there are currently no repercussions for violating the agreement.
“We’ve got a school board that has consistently proven that they can’t be trusted,” Odell said.
“Sooner or later our city’s gonna get a black eye from this. This situation, we’re very lucky, turned out to be nothing, but being that this was already mishandled this way, how do we trust these people moving forward?”
Jones said she has faith in her school’s administration, and in the police, to handle the situation. But she’s disappointed in the school system, and worries that district leaders aren’t setting a good example for others.
“It can happen anywhere, and I think that’s where the problems come in Trussville,” she said. “There’s this desire to protect the image, and no city is perfect. No school system is perfect.”
The city council expects to hear from parents at a council meeting Tuesday night at 6 p.m.
Rebecca Griesbach is a member of The Alabama Education Lab team at AL.com. Her position is supported through a partnership with Report for America. Contribute to support the team here.
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