School threats are no joking matter
PHIL CAMPBELL — The saddest thing about the Sept. 3 bomb threat at Phil Campbell High School is the lasting impact the hoax will have on the life of the juvenile arrested, said Police Chief Jessica Clements “This is going to change [the juvenile’s] life,” she said. “It’s a sad situation.
“The person has been a decent student, not had any real problems, but you can’t just not do your job because you know that history. We have to do our job.”
The 15-year-old arrested for the fake bomb threat was charged with first-degree making a terrorist threat. He is now in the Franklin County Juvenile Detention facility in Russellville.
“[Kids] think no one will be able to track [threats] and they can get away with it,” Clements said. “I guess we’re going to have to go around to classes and say, this is what’s in store for your future if you do this.
“If we find out who it is, you are going to be arrested. You must take it seriously in this day and age,” the police chief explained.
Parents should make their children aware of the severity of the consequences of making threats, too, Clements said.
Colbert County Schools Mental Health Coordinator Brooklyn Bigbee said the time to have those conversations is now.
“Right now is the perfect time to have these conversations,” Bigbee said. “This isn’t the time [students’ parents] grew up in. We take these threats seriously. It’s so much easier to remain anonymous, but we do have the capability to find out where it came from.”
Copies of the 2025-2026 Franklin County Schools Student Code of Conduct and other district handbooks are pictured Thursday. The handbook lists making a terrorist threat as a Class III offense, among the most serious violations. [DAN BUSEY/TIMESDAILY]
The train of thought, she said, could be as simple as “If I make the threat, I don’t have to take the science test.”
Students hear of disruptions like the one in Phil Campbell and think it could be funny to cause a disturbance at their own schools, too.
Due to juvenile protection laws, those students often don’t know what happened to the threat maker and therefore don’t understand the consequences of such actions.
“It’s brought up, then it goes away,” Bigbee said. “It’s up to parents, as well as our staff, to be proactive and let students know that threats are not taken lightly.”
Phil Campbell Principal Bart Moss noted on his Facebook page that the quick reactions of his staff is to be commended.
“It’s days like today (Sept. 3) you realize how important it is to have a great team of people to work with. Our staff at PCHS and the Central Office showed great leadership, teamwork and patience in the face of unexpected adversity. I’m very proud of all of them!
“I am also thankful for our hard-working law enforcement partners who responded immediately and professionally.
“Many of our staff members, including myself, have our own children and their friends in school. Student and staff safety will always be our top priority.
“I’ve been through situations like this now at Phil Campbell and Tharptown and it all comes down to good people doing the right thing and the right time,” Moss wrote.
At area schools, any threat of violence toward another student, or the student body, is considered the highest level of offense.
InFranklinCountysuch threats are considered “Class C” offenses, and the resulting consequences can include expulsion.
Bigbee said a hoax like the bomb threat in Phil Campbell can have lasting consequences for students and their families.
“It disrupts learning, and it negatively affects their mental health,” she said. “It drives a fear of events they can’t fully comprehend, but it makes it feel more possible because it’s close to home.”
