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Officials may take disciplinary action against other suspects

By Lynn Hotaling and Carey Phillips
School officials could decide the educational fate of four more Smoky Mountain High students today (Thursday) at noon.

Jackson County's Board of Education will meet to discuss matters related to student personnel, according to a notice received Tuesday.

Superintendent Frank Burrell declined comment on the matter, and would neither confirm or deny whether today's meeting relates to SMHS students charged in connection to pipe bomb detonations Dec. 3 and 10 at the new Scotts Creek school construction site on Parris Branch.

When asked whether the six would be in school Wednesday (Jan. 5) when classes resumed after Christmas break, SMHS Principal Ken Henke said Tuesday, "At this point in time, they should not be." When asked about the fact that, according to a school board statement, only two of the six have been disciplined, he said, "They all will be dealt with, and they probably will be (dealt with) by (Thursday)."

School leaders met Dec. 22 to discuss their legal obligations with regard to the six SMHS students after charges of possession of weapons on school property were added against all six. The school board's late-night session was closed, as state law requires when matters relating to student personnel are considered. Board members issued a statement the following day that indicated "final disciplinary action" had been taken with regard to two students.

SMHS students charged with felony possession of weapons of mass destruction, possession of weapons on school property and malicious destruction of personal property are seniors P.T. Parker, Josh Haddock, Travis Shepard, Matt Breedlove and Jennifer Parker, all 17. The name of a sixth, a 15-year-old sophomore, has not been released. A 17-year-old Southwestern Community College student, Andrew MacRae, faces the same charges.

Attorney Eric Ridenour said last week that his client, P.T. Parker, was suspended from school at the school board's Dec. 22 meeting.

State statutes stipulate that a superintendent must suspend students who bring weapons on school property for 365 days; however, the law allows school officials some flexibility. A school board may modify the suspension requirement on a case-by-case basis and may provide suspended students educational services in an alternative setting, statutes say.

Superintendent Burrell said Tuesday that school officials would release a statement when action is completed.

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