Parents have been left concerned for the safety of their children after a teen who compiled a "kill list" has been allowed to return to school.
A group of parents whose children attend Conner High School was shocked to find out that one of the students had created an "active kill list" with the names of their peers compiled together.
Upon highlighting the discovery, the 14-year-old was charged with second-degree terroristic threats but in a U-turn decision, the Boone County Board of Education has now ruled that the unnamed individual is allowed to return to school.
Understandably, the decision was not well received by parents whose children's names had been put on the list, with many emphasizing the risk of allowing such a "threat" back into what is supposed to be a safe learning environment.
Speaking out during a school board meeting in Florence, Kentucky, the group of parents banded together to make their concerns known.
"Whatever help he has gotten, he is still a threat..." said Deanne Corbin before alluding to the idea that letting him back in an environment that "fostered" him to want to conduct a "mass shooting" is not a decision she can support.
Rob Bidleman, another concerned parent, stated that the initial call revealing the news of the list was "devastating."
"When I received the call from the principal, it was emotionally devastating," he said. "All I could think about was my child was in danger when they did nothing wrong."
Karen Wells also spoke out during the meeting, stating that the principal, Andy Wyckoff, is in a difficult position as his own son was also named on the kill list.
"I don’t think it’s the right decision for the administration," Wells said. "I think it puts an unnecessary burden on Mr. Wyckoff with his own son on that list. He has to be impartial every day yet give this kid what he needs. Obviously, this kid needs a community to get behind him to help him, because one day he’s going to be in our society."
Wyckoff also had his say on Monday, explaining that despite his concern for his son's safety, he is not considering switching schools, as some other parents have.
"I am aware that some parents have moved their children to other schools, but I will not move my son," he said, as per NBC News.
On Friday, Boone County School District Superintendent Matthew Turner addressed the parents in a letter stating that his hands were tied when making the decision.
He urged parents to "talk to your local state legislator."
"The Kentucky Constitution guarantees the right to a public education for every child without prejudice, and we are obligated to follow state law," Turner wrote. "I can assure you all appropriate safety measures have been taken and are in place.
"Conner High School remains a safe school."
According to the outlet, this is not the first time an incident of this nature has been brought to light.
On October 19 last year, another 14-year-old was charged with second-degree terroristic threats after posting online that he was "bringing a knife to school" to kill a specific teacher.
When referring to the incident, Wyckoff said that he will be dealing with the incident "soon", saying that it was a whole "different case."
"This is a good school. This is not the kind of thing we usually deal with," he added.