Instances surround a local tradition promote the Tuscaloosa County School System to comment on game day behavior within the county.

It's not uncommon to see students flying flags on the back of their vehicles on games days in support of their school's football team. It seems like recent potentially illegal events prompted Tuscaloosa County Schools Superintendent to make a statement surrounding flag flying on game days.

ME TV FM 97.5 logo
Get our free mobile app

"Flying school flags on game days is a wonderful tradition for several of our high schools, and many of our students do a great job of enjoying this tradition safely and representing their schools well. However, we have had incidents recently, associated with flag flying on game days, that are extremely concerning," the statement posted by TCSS read.

(Noah Lueker)
(Noah Lueker)
loading...

According to the statement, there have been reports of students potentially committing felonies.

"We have had reports of students shooting paintball guns at other students’ vehicles and driving recklessly."

The statement makes it clear that students are not to shoot paintballs at vehicles.

"Also, if you discharge a paintball gun into an occupied vehicle, you could be charged with a felony. We are coordinating with law enforcement to have extra patrols near our schools and near popular morning meeting spots/local businesses on game days. This behavior must stop, before someone is charged with a crime or injured."

You can read the full statement below from TCSS.

TCSS High School Students and Families,

Flying school flags on game days is a wonderful tradition for several of our high schools, and many of our students do a great job of enjoying this tradition safely and representing their schools well. However, we have had incidents recently, associated with flag flying on game days, that are extremely concerning.

We have had reports of students shooting paintball guns at other students’ vehicles and driving recklessly. Under our code of conduct, bringing a paintball gun onto any TCSS campus is grounds for expulsion. Also, if you discharge a paintball gun into an occupied vehicle, you could be charged with a felony. We are coordinating with law enforcement to have extra patrols near our schools and near popular morning meeting spots/local businesses on game days. This behavior must stop, before someone is charged with a crime or injured.

We want our students to enjoy school traditions and have a good time. However, behavior that violates the law or our code of conduct will not be tolerated. The safety of our students is always our greatest concern. Families, please discuss the importance of this with your students.

Sincerely,

Keri C. Johnson, Ed. D.

Superintendent

Top Stories from the Tuscaloosa Thread (9/2 - 9/9)

9 of the Top Stories published by the Tuscaloosa Thread during the mostly quiet 36th week of 2024.

Gallery Credit: (Stephen Dethrage | Tuscaloosa Thread)

The Loop 2024: Restaurant and Retail News from the Tuscaloosa Thread

A running list from the Tuscaloosa Thread of all restaurants and retailers who have opened, closed, relocated or announced plans to come to the area so far in 2024.

Gallery Credit: (Stephen Dethrage | Tuscaloosa Thread)

All Homicides Investigated in Tuscaloosa County in 2024

A regularly updated list of the Tuscaloosa Thread's coverage of all homicides in Tuscaloosa County in 2024.

Gallery Credit: (Stephen Dethrage | Tuscaloosa Thread)