Petition to remove NKY student readmitted after making kill list gains traction
HEBRON, Kentucky — Some parents pulled their children from a Boone County high school after a student accused of making a kill list was allowed back into the classroom.
Hundreds have signed an online petition calling for the student’s immediate removal after the current Conner High School freshman began classes in January after being kicked out for a year.
In November 2021, when he was still an eighth grader, a school resource officer found a student’s notebook that contained targeted threats against several other students — including the principal’s son.
The student was then charged with second-degree terrorist threats.
“It’s unfair all round,” said parent Jim Kruspe.
Kruspe is one of many supporting the petition. He has one daughter at Conner High School, and although her name wasn’t on the list, he said he was concerned for the well-being of others at school.
“Children and parents who need to relive that memory,” he said. “One of the students that was on the list was the principal’s child here at Conner High School.”
Kruspe joined dozens of other parents, teachers and staff to raise concerns at a school board meeting last month.
Many, including Kruspe, blamed Boone County Principal Matthew Turner for deciding to reinstate the student without consulting the board.
“We’re trying to petition the board to ask them to change their decision,” Kruspe said.
The online petition, which started less than a week ago, claims allowing the student into high school violates the district’s promised commitment to safety. It cites part of an August 2022 letter from Turner to parents, in which he said, “…our most important function in Boone County schools is to provide all of our students and faculty members with the safest learning environment possible .”
In a statement, Turner told the WCPO the decision was not up to him.
“The Kentucky Constitution guarantees every child, without prejudice, the right to a public education, and we are obligated to obey state laws. If you have concerns about the Education Act, we strongly encourage you to speak to your local legislature. We will continue to be vigilant on these matters and appreciate the community support.”
The WCPO examined Kentucky’s educational policies on discipline. State law requires local school boards to issue policies that require students who threaten the safety of other students or staff to be expelled for at least a year.
Kentucky Education Law also states that a student may be placed in an alternative education program to ensure safety. State law does not require a student to be re-admitted to the same school.
Parents have also reached out to the state and reached out to several lawmakers to see if they can get education laws changed. This includes recently elected state assemblyman Steve Rawlings, who sits on the Kentucky Board of Education. Rawlings said he would bring parents’ concerns to Frankfurt.
Kruspe said the hope is not to expel the student from the district but to place him in another school away from potential conflict.
“No one wants to slander a 14-year-old kid,” he said. “We just want everyone to make a good decision and do the right thing for everyone involved.”
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