Pequot Lakes student with toy gun not returning to high school

PEQUOT LAKES - The Pequot Lakes High School student who took a plastic toy gun Feb. 17 from a box of rummage sale items, walked to the doorway of a classroom during fourth hour and pointed it at the people in the room will not be finishing the year out in the high school, Superintendent Rick Linnell said Friday.

Linnell said the district followed its policy regarding weapons in the schools, which resulted in immediate suspension of the male student for five days. Linnell said the school district found an alternative placement for the student, one that he said would be more appropriate for him, for the remainder of the school year.

Linnell said he didn't know how many students were in the classroom at the time. He declined to name the class. Linnell said he also didn't know why the plastic toy gun was stored with other rummage sale items donated by students to be sold during a prom fundraiser.

"It should have been disposed of immediately when it was found there," said Linnell.