Image Credit: Jefferson County Schools, TN / YouTube
By David Seal [Special to The Tennessee Conservative] –
After a year of prodding, letter writing, citizen action meetings, emails, phone calls, and newspaper advertising, the citizens of Jefferson County, and a group of dedicated veterans, finally shamed the Jefferson County, Tennessee school board into making a policy change to allow military tassels to be worn at graduation by seniors that have signed their lives over to the United States Military as recruits.
Veterans and citizens signed up to speak in favor of military tassels at the recent school board meeting, many of which asking why allowing military tassels has been an issue at all. Looking on as the meeting progressed, the principal of Jefferson County High School, Mr. Randy Rogers, has maintained that a “graduation committee” recommended that only “academic accomplishments or academic honor societies” be recognized at graduation, which excluded military tassels.
One of many veterans speaking to the school board in favor of military graduation tassels was Major General Leslie Purser, (US Army Ret.). Purser was cut off mid-sentence by School Board Chair Randy Bradley when her time limit was reached as she made an impassioned statement about the gravity of choosing military service. (Video time stamp 34:48), linked here or watch below.
At any time, principal Rogers had authority to override his subordinate “graduation committee”, to permit military tassels at graduation. In May 2022, Dr. Shane Johnston, then Director of Jefferson County Schools could have exercised his authority over Rogers to permit military tassels but chose to stand down. This school year, the current director of schools, Dr. Tommy Arnold could have exercised his authority over Rogers to permit military tassels at graduation. Administrators failed to act.
The issue of military tassels at graduation was finally championed by recently elected conservative republican school board member Doug Ibbetson by placing the tassel issue on the February school board agenda for action. Board member Cameron also strongly supported military tassels.
School Board Member Bill Jarnigan attempted to remove the tassel item from the school board meeting agenda, eventually being the only member of the board who refused to vote “YES” on allowing our brave young patriots to wear their military service tassel during the commencement ceremony. (Video time stamp 43:50), linked HERE or watch below.
In a 6-1 vote, a policy change was made by the school board that forced reluctant school administrators to allow military tassels at graduation.
One Air Force veteran who was part of the citizen/veteran military tassel campaign summarized the issue well. “I couldn’t believe what some concerned parents brought to me about the school leadership not recognizing our newest military recruits. With the school mascot a “PATRIOT “one would think promoting and motivating our young, soon to be, service members would be a no brainer. My wife and I have served combined 57 years and numerous deployments in the US Air Force – We know the value of community support and the feeling of dedication to God-Country-Family. Let’s never lose our sense of National Pride and support to those that decide to serve. We must hold our school administration responsible to follow- “We the People’s” guidance. After all this School Board is elected to make sure the communities desires are met.” – Colonel Craig Knierim (USAF Ret.)
Empowered Jefferson advises all Tennesseans to closely monitor school board activities.
A video link to the school board meeting can be accessed here.
About the Author: David Seal is a retired Jefferson County educator, recognized artist, local businessman,
917 Society Volunteer, and current Chairman of the Jefferson County Republican Party. He has also served Jefferson County as a County Commissioner and is a lobbyist for the people on issues such as eminent domain, property rights, education, and broadband accessibility on the state level.
