A Freetown mom who used a false name to test school security is running for school board

Matthew Ferreira, Standard-Times
·3 min read

FREETOWN — The Freetown mother who provided false names to enter schools in the Freetown-Lakeville Regional School District in order to test out their security levels — and then publicly scolded the district because she was let in and left free to roam the buildings — is running for a spot on the district's School Committee, The Standard-Times has learned.

Kayla Churchill is one of three School Committee candidates running for two seats designated for Freetown resident members, according to information from the Freetown Town Clerk's Office. She is a challenger to two incumbent candidates for reelection: Robert Clark and Jennifer Blum.

The Freetown Town Clerk's Office confirmed Tuesday that there had been no withdrawals since the sample ballot was produced.

While the Freetown and Lakeville town election ballots each divide the two towns' respective regional school committee seats into separate races, residents of either town vote on both. Both towns' local elections are set for Monday, April 3.

When asked of her motivation for running, Churchill said, via text, that her safety concerns are a major part.

"I would say that there are serious issues with the safety protocols ... which is one of the main reasons I'm running," she wrote, in addition to other reasons which included emphasizing fiscal responsibility and "to be sure our kids know and understand the founding principles of the United States of America."

The main entrance of Apponequet Regional High School in Lakeville. In November, Freetown-Lakeville Regional School District administration said a district parent entered Apponequet and Assawompset Elementary School after providing a false name. Police identified the parent as Freetown woman Kayla Churchill, who is now challenging two Freetown incumbents for a spot on the Freetown-Lakeville Regional School Committee.
The main entrance of Apponequet Regional High School in Lakeville. In November, Freetown-Lakeville Regional School District administration said a district parent entered Apponequet and Assawompset Elementary School after providing a false name. Police identified the parent as Freetown woman Kayla Churchill, who is now challenging two Freetown incumbents for a spot on the Freetown-Lakeville Regional School Committee.

What happened in November?

The alleged incidents that brought a high level of media attention and introduced Churchill's name to many are said to have taken place on Nov. 17, when district administration said a parent had been buzzed into Assawompset Elementary School and Apponequet Regional High School, both in Lakeville, and tried unsuccessfully to enter Freetown Elementary School.

Kayla Churchill, of Freetown, is a candidate in the race for a seat on the Freetown-Lakeville Regional School Committee in next month's local elections. The Freetown mother made headlines in November when she allegedly tried to enter several school buildings in the district by providing a false name and reasons for being there. According to interviews Churchill did with media outlets at the time, those actions were an attempt to test the integrity of school security after she'd grown concerned it might be lacking.
Kayla Churchill, of Freetown, is a candidate in the race for a seat on the Freetown-Lakeville Regional School Committee in next month's local elections. The Freetown mother made headlines in November when she allegedly tried to enter several school buildings in the district by providing a false name and reasons for being there. According to interviews Churchill did with media outlets at the time, those actions were an attempt to test the integrity of school security after she'd grown concerned it might be lacking.

Get the background:This Freetown mom tried to expose school security failures. Now she's facing charges.

In media interviews from around that time, Churchill told reporters that the idea to put school security to the test came after she'd expressed concerns to district administrators and it was suggested she visit Freetown Elementary School to see recent security upgrades firsthand. She'd also mentioned having a conversation with one of her children over worries about school shootings.

What's happening now?

A GoFundMe page under the title "Kayla Churchill Legal Defense" contains a Jan. 1 post by its organizer, Dan Dinsmore, saying a court date had been scheduled at the time for Jan. 31, and claims "Kayla's charges have increased to 7 from the original 3 to include breaking and entering (X's 2) with intent to commit a crime." However, The Standard-Times was not able to confirm any charges beyond the two Lakeville police stated intent to file in November: Trespassing and Disturbing a School Assembly.

A public relations agency spokesperson, on behalf of Lakeville police, confirmed on Tuesday, March 14, that the department did move forward with those two charges, and said any additional information would have to come from Wareham District Court. However after several attempts, staff from the Plymouth County District Attorney's Office at the court were unable to locate any information on Churchill's case.

Police declined to fulfill a formal records request, stating: "The records requested contain information regarding an incident that is still under investigation at this time."

In response to questions on the status of her case, Churchill wrote: "At the moment, I have no comment on the current circumstances, but that my lawyer and I are working with police and the school district on a resolution."

See more local school news:Fairhaven School Committee extends Superintendent Tara Kohler's contract. Here's the details.

The Dec. 1 GoFundMe update by Dinsmore goes on to note that Churchill had "removed her children from the school district and [has] enrolled them in a local private school."

As of Friday, the page had raised $1,165 between 19 donations.

This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: Freetown mom who entered schools with false name runs for school board