By Carl Keith Greene/Staff Writer
Two Barbourville High School students, who have been required by the court to wear home incarceration devices after an alleged violent crime, have created concerns among students’ family and at least one school board member.
School board member Eddie Smith’s own concerns, as well as concerns expressed by parents of BHS students about the young men’s presence among the student body, prompted Smith to seek a school board meeting to discuss the situation.
In a telephone interview Thursday, he said he was turned down by board chairman Shirley F. “Buck” Treadway. According to statute, a special meeting may only be called following a request by three board members.
Superintendent Larry Warren assured Smith that students were safe, though Smith said, “I would like to be more informed.”
Smith said he requested the meeting to address rumors that were circulating in the community.
When Treadway was asked about the situation, he responded, “I’m not interested in telling you anything about that,” noting that the school’s lawyer had said “the boys had done nothing to deserve expulsion.”
Tim Crawford, the school’s attorney, said Thursday that Warren and Principal Paul Middleton have contacted the juvenile court designated worker regarding the students wearing the devices.
Middleton, Crawford said, has warned the students that the “school is watching and to stay in line and behave.”
Allegedly, the students with the monitoring bracelets have shown off the devices to other students in a somewhat humorous manner. The students allegedly were involved with two adults in an incident on Sept. 12 at a Stephen Trace home.
Joseph W. Napier, 20, of Flat Lick and Jerry S. Smith, 21, of Barbourville, were charged with first-degree assault, first-degree burglary and first-degree criminal mischief. The minors’ apparent involvement in the incident is part of sealed court records.
The suspects reportedly entered the home and assaulted Shawn Fugate, II. They also allegedly assaulted a woman under 18 years old and damaged a truck owned by Shawn Fugate, Sr.
The two adults are free on bonds and scheduled for court appearance on Oct. 6.
