By Charlotte Underwood

JACKSBORO, TN (WLAF) – On Tuesday evening School board members heard concerns from several parents regarding new security camera placement and security devices at CCHS.

TOP PHOTO: A representative with Homeland Security, left, answers a question from a parent about camera placement at CCHS. 

According to parents, the camera in the JROTC common area and devices in the bathrooms make some students uncomfortable. School board officials said the camera placement is on the recommendation of Homeland Security and is all in the interests “of keeping all students safer at CCHS.”

Rebecca Hollifield addressed board members, saying she was there to discuss the camera that had been placed in the JROTC building at CCHS and that it made her granddaughter, along with other students “uncomfortable.”

The camera was placed in the JROTC common area upon the recommendation of Homeland Security.

Hollifield told school board members that the area was where the students “did their classwork, where they worked out” and that a lot of the girls were “very uncomfortable about a camera watching them.”

Hollifield asked what the purpose was of having it in that area, and said she had no other knowledge of other classrooms that had cameras.

A representative from Homeland Security attended the BOE meeting and answered the question, saying it was because “it is a common area and that is where she recommended it to go.” She indicated that further questions could be directed to her supervisor in Nashville.

Director of Schools Jennifer Fields also read an email from Chief Bennett with JROTC that said the placement of the camera is “fine and is of no issues with us. It is in a common area of the JROTC department as I have witnessed the layout myself. This is no different than the cameras you have monitoring your hallways or the gym.”

Fields also shared an email from Dr. Casey Geist, who is the Deputy Director of the Army’s JROTC program within the United States Army Cadet Command. Dr. Casey Guist said the “JROTC building belongs to your school. All decisions regarding the placement of a camera in any building on your campus is 100-percent the decision of your administration, counsel, and Homeland Security. U.S. Army Cadet Command is supportive of any security measures that lead to a safer environment for your students and JROTC cadets.”

Hollifield also brough up what she said “looked like recording devices” in the bathrooms.

Director Fields responded that those are called Halo smart sensors and “that they monitor facility privacy areas as it does not use cameras, or record audio.”

“It Identifies gunshot detection, aggression detection, vaping and more,” Director Fields answered.

“I’m just trying to make it where she is comfortable at school,” Hollifield said.

“We’re trying to make it as safe as we can for every student. We know that not everybody is going to agree with every decision and that is unfortunate. We’ve followed the recommendations of Homeland Security and we’re not going to make any changes; I’m sorry,” BOE Chair Steve Morgan said.

Another parent Tara Ayers addressed the board regarding the same situation. She said she had letters written by the students who “talked about the benefit of the JROTC program and how they felt their privacy was being invaded.”

“I’m here in the capacity as a parent supporting the children in voicing their feelings. As a parent, I would like to request you all, regardless of the outcome of any decisions to host a workshop. I think the children are very passionate; they might need some clarity on some things. I would like to ask you all as the board of education and the people that care about our community, can you host a workshop where you can communicate with these students about their concerns,” Ayers said.

“I think that is reasonable. We do have a great appreciation and admiration for JROTC and what they’ve accomplished and as a board we’re very supportive and I personally will be glad to meet with them,” Morgan said.

He asked CCHS Principal Ben Foust to set up a workshop meeting between the BOE members and students and their parents regarding these security measures that have been implemented. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 05/15/2024-6AM)

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