Upon arriving at school on May 5th, 2008, all students were directed to the gymnasium. In the large atrium there appeared to be foam on the floor and signs of spray paint. There were NO FUMES observed or reported by any student. The number of students that congregated in the gym was approximately 1,600. There were numerous teachers posted at the doors to prevent any student from leaving the room. Your children were held in the gym for almost three hours.
During this time, they were told by various teachers that vandalism had occurred during the night. The majority of the teachers appeared upset and acted unfriendly toward the students being held. The rumors circulating through the room indicated that your children might be held all day or until the school obtained information from them on the vandalism.
Students began talking and yelling. The feeling was one of panic. Several students tried to exit the gym but teachers slammed the doors or blocked their movement. One teacher described the situation as a near riot. This Franklin High near riot has been viewed nationwide thousands of times on YouTube. THERE WAS NO INFORMATION ABOUT THE DETENTION COMMUNICATED TO STUDENTS other than the rumors until just before the three hours ended. The principal appeared at that time with a powered megaphone. There was too much noise and chaos to hear what was said. Teachers opened the gym doors and waved students out, directing them to go to third period class. A fire alarm was sounded, teachers held open the entrance doors and directed students outside. The fire department arrived, students wandered around outside the building. Teachers and staff, instead of following NORMAL PROCEDURES for a fire drill in grouping and directing students, ran to the edges of student parking areas to block students from driving their cars away from the school. A large number of students walked away from the school.
THE FOLLOWING FACTS ARE NOT IN CONTROVERSY.
1. The entire student body was forced into the gym and held in an accusatory manner.
2. The students were forced to remain in the gym for almost three hours.
3. No explanation or communication on when the students would be released was officially communicated at any time while the students were detained.
4. The school administration reported to media that fumes from the vandalism required students to be gathered in one room. No information regarding fumes was communicated to students. No fumes were experienced. It was reported in newspaper accounts that fumes from fire extinguishers are not dangerous.
5. The school administration reported to the media that students had to be gathered in one room while cleanup occurred. No such statement was made to your children.
THE FOLLOWING STATEMENTS APPEAR TO BE RELEVANT FACTS:
6. The school administration knew there were minimal or no fire extinguishers in the building but detained your children (1,600 students crammed into one room) for almost three hours, stating they might remain there all day, in possible violation of fire safety codes.
7. The school administration UNTRUTHFULLY reported to city police that students were being detained in their home rooms.
8. The facts appear to support the incident being prosecuted as false imprisonment under TCA 39-13-302. The school administration KNOWINGLY CONFINED THE ENTIRE STUDENT BODY UNLAWFULLY AND INTERFERED SUBSTANTIALLY WITH YOUR CHILDS LIBERTY.
9. When parents called and asked what was happening, they were told that the vandals causing destruction of school property were going to be caught and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. The staff also refused to say to parents that students would soon be released.

These actions by the FHS administration were so deplorable and dangerous that we PETITIONERS CALL FOR A CHANGE IN THE TOP ADMINISTRATION OF FRANKLIN HIGH. At a minimum, a new Principal and top aides must be hired. This is NECESSARY for the safety of your children and the advancement of learning at Franklin High.
PLEASE ONLY SIGN ONCE. TO PRESERVE YOUR PRIVACY, ONLY YOUR AGREEMENT WILL BE COMMUNICATED TO THE SCHOOL BOARD. WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT FAIRNESS BY THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION AND SIGNERS ARE THUS ANONYMOUS. (Your name and email are required to sign but will not be displayed.)