An eighth-grader at Pequot Lakes Middle School was involved in an incident with a pocket knife in school on Monday.
Pequot Lakes Superintendent Rick Linnell said a male student took out a pocket knife before school Monday morning to show students in the middle school gymnasium. Linnell said the student had the blade out, but didn’t point it at anyone.
“We believe that he did not verbally threaten anyone with the knife,” said Linnell. “One of the kids told him that he shouldn’t have a knife in school so he told the paraprofessional that he had the knife. He didn’t harm anyone.
“This is not the first time a kid has brought a pocket knife to school. We are working with the parents and they were disheartened ... Kids do dumb things sometimes. We take it seriously when a student brings a weapon to school. We’re not happy when it happens, but it is a serious offense. These things can lead to expulsion.”
Linnell could not comment on what the punishment was for the student, but said the district followed its discipline policy.
According to the policy regarding weapons, corrective action shall include initial suspension for five days, confiscation of weapon, notification of police, parent notification and possible recommendation to the school board for expulsion proceedings for up to one year.
The policy states that no student shall possess a weapon when in the school building, on school grounds, or on any school sponsored trip or activity. Examples of weapons include firearms, whether loaded or unloaded; knives; clubs; metal knuckles used in a threatening manner; nunchuks; throwing stars; explosives; shotguns, ammunition; chains; pellet guns; look-alike guns; and other non-functioning guns that could be used to threaten others.
Pequot Lakes Police Chief Eric Klang said police are investigating the incident.
JENNIFER STOCKINGER may be reached at jennifer.stockinger@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5851. Follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/jennewsgirl.
Comments (6)
Add commentI remember
when nearly all the boys carried a pocket knife. No one was stabbed either.
I understand the crazy people
I understand the crazy people we have in school these days, but in the 90's I wore a 5inch buck knife on my belt every day. I never drew it out, just a self-defense mechansim since the teachers were glad to see the jocks bully me around. Nobody got hurt, I gave a few black eyes out, I turned out pretty good and am extremely non-violent. The bullys turned out all right. All these laws are taking the man out of men and feminizing the boys.. A coleman spork pocket knife should be mandatory. I loved my leatherman, being able to fix stuff in class when the teachers asked me to come up with the leatherman and take out some scews. Well, the Fed. Education board has got a a few too many scews and for Peet's sake, lighten up. How many people get stabbed to death in small rural schools? I understand in big cities where there's lots of gangsters and those boys probably have a much higher rate of using them compared to the boy's fishing too. Dang it, Russia probably doesn't even have this many nancy boy laws, are there communist pretty much
.22
For a surprise, my son took my single shot.22 to shop class and redone the stock for me. He wrapped it in a sheet, slid it in the backseat of his car, drove to the shop door and the shop teacher let him in.
Stock turned out beautiful.Was made in 1954, looks like new! Still as accurate as ever.
A knife was something all boys had in their pockets! Not as a weapon or a warning, but hey, they might have to pare off a fingernail. :)
I worked
on the ranch when I was in high school. I forgot about having knives and multi-tools on me all the time. I never got in trouble for it, the teachers would just remind you to leave it in your car! That wasn't even that long ago and wow, times sure have changed already.
An example of how far we have
An example of how far we have gone in a misguided attempt to "protect" our kids from the few nut cases. Now this child, who brought it more as a show and tell item, who willingly turned himself in when he found out he was in violation of policy, and who is probably a really good kid with no violent intentions, will face possible expulsion because he made a mistake, or as so many kids do, simply "didn't think." Ridiculous. Was there any malicious intent? Was any student ever in danger? Was he trying to conceal this item? Did he deny it was his?
Geez....farm kids, boys and girls, always had pocket knives in their jackets when I was in school. They were probably out cutting open bales of hay to do chores before they caught the bus in the morning. Today, they would be criminals?
Stupid is as.......
Brings to mind that old commercial line......."You've come a long way baby."