Phillip Blake Hannah is a parent that has posted inaccurate and misleading information and videos about the school where his children attend (and my children, as well). Additionally, our principal and school have been harassed and threatened due to his videos. He names the school, the location, and the principal. Staff and families are beginning to become uncomfortable because of the attention he has caused. Multiple emails and rude, hateful phone calls have come because of him. 

The videos leave out so much more to this story and he clearly instigates seeking viewer support. As parents, we have received weekly emails and other forms of communication, asking us not to come to campus before 2:30, at which time the gate opens so traffic can fill the back lot and not run into the road (this has been an all year rule, nothing new as he makes it seem). We witnessed a wreck earlier this school year where a parent blocked the road leading to a major accident, which is one of many reasons this rule is in place. The school is located off a main highway, which is problematic, but is the hand they were dealt and they've made the best of it. 

Administration has done their best to make this safe for all, with a "KIDS first" mindset. Children are at play in the back lot whether for PE or recess and it is a safety concern for parents to fill the back lot for carline early. When the gates open at 2:30, parents have ample time to get in carline before dismissal begins at 2:40 and traffic never backs into the road at this time. Parents can come to carline any time between 2:30-3:10. Dismissal is very efficient. No matter what time you arrive, you have your children within 10 minutes at most. By 3pm there is little to no line, but pickup still takes place until 3:10. There is no excuse to fight for the back lot to be opened earlier and take away from children's play/schedule so that parents can just sit there with no good reason. Again, it's about the KIDS first, not what is convenient for parents. It is not difficult to look at your clock as you get close to campus and say "well, I still have 3 minutes, let me circle up the road and back." 

The other folks seen in the videos are typically grandparents or alternate pickups that don't know the rules. When approached, they (even parents) respectfully loop around and return at the appropriate time, unlike Mr. Hannah. He is the ONLY person to cause an issue and not understand why the rule is in place. He is probably the same person who would complain if we opened the gates early and had to take away PE for some classes or that we have cars "lurking" where children play. Mr. Hannah has caused threats to our principal over an incident that should have been handled in house and not on social media. At no point did he request a meeting or reach out to her supervisor to express concerns. He went straight to TikTok, which he has used to harass Mrs. Hester, the school principal. He thrives on publicity and views, as is clear with this situation. He is consistently deleting and blocking users that call him out on his inaccuracies and explain the situation to his followers. I have been blocked 3 times (update- 5 times now!) so far for trying to answer viewers' questions and provide factual information. He doesn't want anyone to know the truth. Notice his videos are edited and very limited. Greenville and Spartanburg counties, dig deeper and do your research on him- he is far from innocent and shows a pattern of questionable behaviors.

Any parents I have spoken to fully support Mrs. Hester and are upset with his call for her termination. His petition to fire someone over this encounter is absurd and without good reason. Mrs. Hester loves the school and the families. She pours everything into what she does and it is easily seen by those of us who are involved and see her at campus. She is clearly loved and respected by her staff. In his comments, he and his wife claim that they are supportive of staff and the school, but how do you call for a well-loved principal's job, yet still support the staff and school? This is unnecessary attention and negativity toward our school (where THEIR children STILL attend). As a school of choice, if you can't follow the rules that are in place for safety reasons, you should seek to enroll in your local school district, pay for private school, or homeschool.

It is my recommendation that his petition is taken down as it has been handed over to local law enforcement and is now going to court, especially since all of our children are involved in this situation. This is just causing more commotion and putting our school at risk with so many strangers that don't even know the situation. Thank you for support as we fight this battle on behalf of a wonderful person and leader!