Boy brings pellet gun to BTWES
Published 11:04 pm Wednesday, December 4, 2013
A boy was recommended for “appropriate administrative action” — but does not face criminal prosecution — after bringing a pellet gun to Booker T. Washington Elementary School Tuesday, according to city and school district officials.
The unloaded pellet gun was found inside the boy’s book bag after another student alerted a teacher, officials say.
The weapon was not displayed, no one was threatened, and no injuries were reported.
City spokeswoman Diana Klink stated the boy had forgotten the firearm was in his book bag.
David Reitz, the school’s principal, informed parents in a letter that student safety “is a top priority … and we want to keep families informed of situations as soon as we are able.”
He asked that parents discuss with their children the importance of telling a teacher, administrator or staff member about any situation that could threaten student safety, adding it would “be helpful to review the weapons policy, which includes toy guns and knives.”
Earlier this year, a policy rewrite by the School Board gave building administrators the ability to use personal judgment in punishing students for weapons policy violations.
The move came after suspensions of two 7-year-old boys from Driver Elementary School for pretending to shoot each other with pencils sparked public outcry.