Williamson County Schools Superintendent Mike Looney, who was arrested on assault charges Wednesday, released a statement on Thursday that, according to WKRN, said, in part “I apologize to the community for the distraction that this accusation has caused. I completely deny the allegations and have faith that the legal process will result in a positive resolution.”
“News 2 reached out to all 12 Williamson County School Board Members for comment. Only one got back to us and directed us to the District Communications Director. Several board members have spoken out on social media,” WKRN reported.
Looney has not been placed on administrative leave by the Williamson County Schools Board of Education. Three of the board members who have made public comments on Facebook appear to be strongly supportive of Looney.
According to WKRN:
Anne McGraw, who serves District 4 wrote on her Facebook, “I cannot, and will not, comment on the incident at Franklin High School this week other than to say that knowing what I know, I’m 100 percent in support of Dr. Looney and his leadership in our district. The official statement issued by Williamson County Schools is below for those who have yet to see it. I expect further updates to come over the course of the next few days. I know everyone has a million questions, but please continue to be patient as we try to remain focused on the needs of our schools.”
Eric Welch, who serves District 10, commented under a post on his page saying, “I’m grateful that several eyewitnesses to the incident were present and eager to testify and I’m grateful for the video that exists. I’m confident the full truth will be revealed at the proper time. Dr. Looney will have his day in court and is eager for it.”
On Thursday, WCS Board member Richard Wimberly posted this on his WCS Board member Facebook page:
The Star asked Wimberly if he was an eyewitness to Tuesday’s incident, and if not, how he came to be “well aware of what happened.”
In addition, The Star asked Wimberly to confirm or deny that it is the policy of the WCS School Board that if any employee is arrested they are immediately placed on administrative leave.
Wimberly has not responded to our request for comment.
“In a statement, WCS Director of Communications Carol Birdsong said Looney disputes the charge but surrendered so the necessary paperwork could be completed,” Patch.com reported:
“This misdemeanor charge apparently stems from an incident which took place Tuesday at Franklin High School while he and others were assisting a student in crisis,” Birdsong wrote in a statement.
“There were multiple witnesses on hand who dispute this accusation of simple assault, and we believe this charge is without merit and will not stand.”
Williamson County Schools Director of Communications Carol Birdsong has not responded to multiple requests for comment from The Tennessee Star concerning Looney’s arrest on Wednesday.
The growing list of questions include the following:
1. Who at Franklin High School notified Looney of the psychological incident with a female student at Franklin High School?
2. Why did he immediately show up at Franklin High School?
3. Why did he intervene?
4. Why did he drag this girl out of the conference room to his personal vehicle?
5. What is Dr. Looney’s relationship with this girl?
6. Does Dr. Looney’s employment contract have a criminal convictions clause?
7. Will Dr. Looney be placed on administrative leave until the charges are resolved?
In addition, The Star has requested a copy of the security video footage shot at Franklin High School of the incident on Tuesday.
The Star also asked the Franklin Police Department if the officers at the scene on Tuesday were wearing body cams. The Tennessean reported last year that body cam deployment is increasingly prevalent among Franklin Police Department officers.
Back in 2006, when he was Superintendent of Schools in Butler County, Indiana, Looney placed an elementary school teacher in the system on administrative leave because the teacher “had violated school board policy as it pertains to disciplining a student,” the Andalusia News (Indiana) reported, adding:
A W.O. Parmer teacher has been placed on administrative leave, according to Superintendent Mike Looney.
Looney said he received a report on Wednesday from W.O. Parmer principal Carol Teague that Quana Scott, a second-grade teacher at the school, had violated school board policy as it pertains to disciplining a student.
At that point he made the decision to place Scott on administrative leave.
Looney was named Williamson County Schools Superintendent in 2009, three years later.
I agree with the questions and comments posted so far.
Thank the police department. Apparently, the two police officers are the only ones with guts enough to speak the truth, even if it reflects poorly on the Super.
Contact every member of the school board and demand answers.
Pray for the girl.
I could not agree more with these comments/questions and I hope someone has the “guts” to get to the bottom of this! Nothing about this story makes sense.
Why aren’t the residents of Williamson County demanding these same questions from the School Board? Whose responsibility is it if the Superintendent and the School Board continue to act as if they do not have to obey the same laws as everyone else?
“I exhort, therefore, that first of all supplications, prayers and intercession and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings, and for all who are in authority…”
These people are in authority over the children of this county – much is expected and much will be required from them. Man-made court systems may be swayed, but there is a final judgment that is true and inescapable.
A very “Barry-esque” response! Apologize and wait for the storm to blowover….
Why would a School Superintendent suddenly appear, grap a female student by the arm, and drag her to his car? Was he trying to cover something? What was the student saying that made the school personnel think she was psychologically impaired? Maybe something about her being assaulted be a certain school official? Who knows? Maybe the police should check the seats of the Super’s car for the student’s DNA?