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    Mother Says Dale County High Is Unfair Save Email Print
    Posted: 10:21 PM Oct 10, 2008
    Last Updated: 10:21 PM Oct 10, 2008
    Reporter: Rhiana Huckins
    Email Address: rhiana@wtvy.com

    A | A | A

    The mother says she wanted to check on her son, but the school says its up to them to keep students safe during a tornado warning.

    "I felt like my rights as a parent were being jeopardized because I could not go where my son was at."

    In the middle of Wednesday’s severe weather, Kathy Johnson says she was worried about her 18 year old son who is a student at dale county high school.

    According to Johnson, she went to the school- not to dismiss her son, but to make sure he was safe.

    "They told me I could either leave the building or they could take me out by force so I gathered my things together and I walked out to my vehicle during that whole tornado thing."

    But witnesses say Johnson had to leave the building because of her behavior.

    "To my understanding, she was yelling, the students could hear her, it was upsetting them and instead of going and sitting down, and she chose not to do that. As I understand it- make a scene." says Johnson

    Meanwhile, Johnson's mother went to midland city elementary school to check on her grandchild.

    "Its the same school system, why shouldn’t it be the same policies, why want I allowed to be with my child? My mother was allowed to be with my Niece, the same Superintendent serves these schools here."

    Dale county superintendent Phillip Parker spoke on behalf of principal Levy Boutwell and says he did the right thing.

    He also says parents are welcome to stay inside the building with their children in case of a natural disaster, but they have to keep their cool.

    " I understand as a parent- I am a parent that you are concerned about your children but our number one concern is their children also and they are in our care, Its our responsibility to make sure they remain in our care until we release them. And it is our policy to keep the students there during tornado warnings," says Parker.

    There is no official policy right now, but Dale County school officials hope to model one after Henry County's code which says the school is responsible for their pupils during an emergency.

    That policy is expected to be brought up for change next January.

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    Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 11, 2008 at 04:12 PM
    it looks like the mother would understand why the wanted to keep her child safe and worked with the school

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