By Jessica Taloney Reporter
Published: Fri, March 21, 2008 - 4:03 pm
Last Updated: Fri, March 21, 2008 - 4:13 pm
Last Updated: Fri, March 21, 2008 - 4:13 pm
Jessica Taloney
School officials tell News Five it's all based on rumors, but parents and students at Alama Bryant High School were concerned.
Principal Larry Mouton says everything started earlier in the week when two students got in an argument over the confederate flag. A student came to school with the symbol on his pickup truck and another student demanded that he remove it.
"The first student felt it was his right to have it and the second student, who felt insulted by the flag, took it down," said Mouton. "They became angry at one another and bowed up to each other."
But, what could have just been a school yard fight turned in to more. Parents afraid of violence on the campus kept their kids home, and others who allowed their kids to go to class, came back early to pick them up.
"Rumors started Wednesday about racial arguments down here, so I kept my son out of school Thursday," said Michele Tomlin, who came to the school Friday morning to check on her child.
Another parent, Regina Gulley, also came to the campus to pick up her kid. "It's going to be a hostile situation this afternoon and I refuse to have my child involved," she said.
Despite the threats, the Alma Bryant campus was quiet all day long, and school officials tell us they aren't expecting any trouble. Mouton says what was an isolated incident between two students simply escalated because students spread the rumors through text messages.
"They text messaged me saying something about a gun and a bomb," said Louella Williams, who has two granddaughters at Alma Bryant. "I'd rather be safe than sorry," said Williams who said she was glad her girls had a cell phone to let her know there was potential trouble.
Mouton says while he understands parent's concerns, he insists the students are safe at school. In fact, his son is a student at Alma Bryant and attended class Friday.
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20 years ago, we didnt have the trouble we do in schools today. I dont have a child old enough to have a cell phone, but with todays times, I would feel more comfortable with my child having his cell phone at school in case of an emergency. If cell phones were to be used “in case of an emergency”, I think they should allow kids to have them at school. Thats the only way or purpose for them to have cell phones at school. Just my opinion tho…