Jones County parents decry gang allegations against students: ‘It’s unfair’

The Jones County Board of Education unanimously approved a revised student code of conduct at its April 13 meeting that strengthens a zero-tolerance policy on gang-related activity, without publicly addressing concerns about student discipline tied to alleged gang affiliations.

Parents in the district say their children were unfairly labeled as gang members and removed from the Jones County High School after administrators and police cited social media photos as evidence of alleged gang affiliation.

On March 26, several tribunal hearings were held, resulting in students being found guilty of involvement in “gang-related activity” and an immediate reassignment to the district’s online program for the duration of their enrollment in the district, according to documents provided by parents.

The students are banned from campus, all school-sponsored events and all Jones County Board of Education properties.

“The student shall remain enrolled at the Jones County Achievement Academy during each subsequent year (remotely) until they shall graduate, withdraw or otherwise cease to be a student in the Jones County School System,” a letter said sent to one family that shared if with The Telegraph. “If a student withdraws from Jones County School System, this restriction remains in place until the time ordered is served.”

Jones County School System Superintendent Jessica Graves provided a statement to The Telegraph on April 14.

“While I am unable to comment on any disciplinary outcomes for our district, given Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act restrictions, I want to reiterate that safety is and will remain our top priority,” Graves said in an email. “We will do everything in our power to ensure a positive, safe, and secure learning environment for all students while protecting the due process rights of all students.”

Allegations tied to social media, hand signs

Parents say the crackdown traces back to a February incident in which local police began investigating alleged gang activity connected to Jones County High students from the “4G” and “L7” gangs. Investigators presented evidence in the form of a long slideshow at the hearing, showing images of teens holding guns and cash, some of it scraped from social media or surveillance footage.

But some parents who spoke with The Telegraph said their children were not in videos of the armed youth, and that in the images they did appear in, they were holding up four fingers — a school-spirit gesture used across the district, they said, but one law enforcement has linked to gangs signs.

“(My son) literally got put in this predicament because of a hand gesture, which every kid in school does,” said the father of one former Jones High student, who agreed to speak on background. “He didn’t even know what gangs they were talking about ... He couldn’t be ‘honest’ about anything because he didn’t know anything.”

Parents said they have not heard updates from the Gray Police Department or the school system, as of date.

On April 9, Gray Police Department’s Maj. Chris Williams said he could not provide any information about the active investigation. The department did not respond to follow-up questions regarding what sparked the investigation or how long the case has been open.

Jeannetta Johnson, a mother of one of the penalized seniors, said she attempted to explain that two photos were unrelated to her son or their allegations.

“They wouldn’t take my evidence, and they kept reiterating that ‘It’s my word against theirs,’” Johnson said. “It’s unfair.”

Families can appeal tribunal decisions to the board of education, but parents say they were told new information cannot be submitted and only evidence presented at the initial hearing will be reviewed.

Graves has not responded to questions about the appeals process or confirmed the claim.

Lasting impact on students

Parents say the consequences for the group extend far beyond the immediate discipline.

The parent who spoke on background said his son, once active in football and track, is now isolated at home on virtual instruction, cut off from classmates and extracurriculars. He described it as “solitary confinement.”

“When you’re in that situation as a parent, what can you do? It makes you feel like you’re defenseless because your child’s being railroaded when you know he hasn’t done anything wrong,” he said.

Johnson said her son has become wary of everyday activities, including playing basketball with his friends in the neighborhood, because he fears any outside activity may be misinterpreted.

“He’s upset about it,” she said. “He doesn’t want to do anything ... He’s worried now that they are going to label him as a gang member.”

Johnson questioned why district and police officials did not contact parents or intervene earlier if they believed the students were involved in alleged gangs, instead of imposing some of the harshest sanctions available.

“If you think they’re doing something wrong, where is the plan to help them get on a better path?” Johnson said. “Instead, the first step was to throw them out of school and take away everything they’ve worked for.”

Both parents said they will continue pressing the district for transparency and “real evidence” of the criminal activity.

More on the district’s student conduct policy revision

The Jones County Board of Education unanimously approved Monday a revised student code of conduct, which addressed gang related activity with a zero tolerance and the district’s dedication to “preventing the influence of such groups.”

The policy outlines its definition of gangs, as well as criteria that may be used to identify gang membership, including but not limited to: admission of gang affiliation, documented information on gang membership, association with gang members and photographs indicating gang association.

Parents told The Telegraph they believe their children were disciplined under policy revisions that were not officially approved until April 14.

Graves did not directly respond to questions about the matter, or if any significant policy changes were made.