Clarksville, TN – The damage at the Glenellen Elementary has angered many residents and I have been asked questions about the crime. The thing to remember it was a crime against the school system so they have responsibility to carry out or follow-up on any legal actions to be taken. The school system falls under the county for funding.
The city’s responsibility is to perform the crime investigation. I have contacted the school system and asked a couple of questions you have posed. While there is missing information still on this crime as to total loss or damage, there are some general policies in place that may apply.
First, many have asked if the school system has insurance. Yes they do and they have different kinds similar to your own home, car or boat insurance. Usually, they have financial responsibility to pay up to certain amounts and then the insurance may kick in for loss over that amount. The loss at Glenellen appears to be divided into three general areas; damage to technology (student computers, teacher stations, TVs, etc), facility damage (broken doors, tables, shelves, windows, walls, floors, etc) and education/other (torn up books, education materials). They are accessing those costs. After they determine the loss they will look at what is covered and by how much.
The second main question was could the school system recover the losses from the parents. The school system will research this. Basically, if the parents have no money then it can cost the school system more money to go through the process, but not collect anything. However, that decision can also rest on the courts. Even if the parents do not have the money, the courts can possibly decide to make them repay the school system by some amount.
For more on the story, see: Juvenile Cause Extensive Damage to Glenellen Elementary School
Editor’s Note: This article contains the view points of Councilman Bill Summers and may not represent the views of the rest of the City Council, the City of Clarksville or ClarksvilleOnline.
