WKRN News 2 Reporting

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WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Tenn. – Some residents are calling for the resignation of the new Williamson County School Board chairman, Mark Gregory, after learning of his connection to a product that some say is degrading to women.

The product is called the “ButtleOpener.” It is a life-sized female rear-end that is used to open beer bottles.

News 2 contacted Gregory who said he helped his brother create the product. However, Gregory, a school board member since 2004, went on to say he has not co-owned or promoted the ButtleOpener since December 2012.

“It has nothing to do with my role on the board or how I interact with the public,” he told News 2 over the phone.

Still, there are concerns about his ties to the product.

Longtime Williamson County School board member Janice Mills, who did not seek re-election this year, released the following statement to News 2.

“It is very disappointing for Mr. Gregory to be elected as board chair leading and representing the approximately 17,000 female students and the predominately female workforce in the school district. I believe his invention is disrespectful and calls into question his judgement and values and is not reflective of the families in Williamson County Schools. I encourage Mr. Gregory to step down as chair due to the embarrassment and distraction his invention has caused the school district and community.”

The issue has become controversial among Williamson County parents.

“I think it’s totally inappropriate and it just doesn’t speak well about how he feels about women,” said Kim Matthews.

Mother Amber Turner told News 2, “As a female, I do think it’s a little bit degrading. Personally, looking at that, it’s not something I would support.”

She continued, “It’s not something that I honestly approve of. I don’t like it.”

News 2 obtained copies of several school board emails pertaining to the ButtleOpener. The opinions from parents were mixed, both supportive and not supportive of Gregory.

One parent congratulated Gregory on his recent election as chairman but asked him to “please shut down that [ButtleOpener] site.”

Another parent said he should “step down as chairman.”

The Williamson County School District did not want to comment.