Jackson County school officials say an investigation remains ongoing after allegations surfaced that a registered sex offender was involved with activities connected to the basketball program at Skyline High School.
The issue has drawn significant attention from parents across Jackson County, prompting a special-called meeting of the Jackson County Board of Education this week. The meeting included a lengthy closed-door session before parents were given an opportunity to address board members, with some community members expressing support for school officials and others demanding answers about what occurred and who knew about the individual’s involvement.
Jackson County Sheriff Rocky Harnen confirmed the person at the center of the investigation is a registered sex offender who was previously registered in Tennessee and is now registered in Alabama.
According to Harnen, Alabama law places restrictions on registered sex offenders regarding their presence on school property and participation in school-related activities. Investigators are examining whether those restrictions were violated.
The sheriff said his understanding is that the individual was involved in activities connected to his own child but may have exceeded what is permitted under state law and school guidelines. No charges have been filed, and no arrests have been made.
On Wednesday, Jackson County Schools released a detailed statement addressing the allegations and defending its response to the situation.
Superintendent A. Jason Davidson said the matter has been under investigation for several months in cooperation with investigators from the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office.
According to the school system, the principal at Skyline High School provided the individual with written guidelines outlining the circumstances under which he could be present on school property or attend school events. School officials said those guidelines were provided as required by law.
The district said that after reports emerged alleging the individual may have violated those restrictions, Davidson issued a written notice banning him from all Jackson County school property and events.
School officials emphasized that the individual was never employed by Jackson County Schools and was never considered for employment.
In its statement, the school system said there have been no allegations that any student was harmed or placed in danger because of the individual’s presence on or off campus.
“The sole issue being investigated is whether the individual was present on Skyline campus as an authorized and approved volunteer and was in the presence of students in violation of the requirements set forth in Alabama law and the restrictions imposed on him by the Jackson County School System,” the statement said.
School officials also pushed back against claims circulating on social media that no action had been taken, saying the investigation has been ongoing for months and that any disciplinary or administrative action will be based on verified facts rather than rumors or speculation.
The district said reports from concerned parents regarding the individual’s volunteer status and level of contact with students have been contradictory, making a thorough investigation necessary before conclusions are reached.
Jackson County Schools said student safety remains its highest priority and pledged to continue working with the Sheriff’s Office until the investigation is complete.
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office has not announced any criminal charges related to the case, and the investigation remains active.
