The Tyrone Area School board voted last week to expel three students, including a seventh and eighth grader, accused of bringing weapons onto school property.
“The district has to take a different stance compared to a decade ago,” said Dr. William N. Miller. “We have to take seriously even a small knife or penknife because of Columbine and other school violence.”
Miller explained the students did not mean to harm any other students or cause harm to themselves. According to the superintendent, the students simply made a poor decision.
“The district needed to take action to make it clear it will not tolerate weapons violations,” said Miller
On the other hand, school members attempted to “make the punishment fit the crime,” said the veteran school administrator.
The expulsions are not permanent. Such expulsions could have been imposed, according to Dr. Miller. Instead, the students were suspended for ten days and also were expelled for 30 days; however, since the suspensions and expulsion run concurrently, the total combined time of the expulsion amounts to a one month period.
Dr. Miller also stated the period of time makes a statement showing a “no tolerance” policy regarding the weaponry issue and at the same time considers the academic needs of the students. They will participate in the school’s academic support program which offers an hour of after school education four days a week. Expelled students are permitted on school grounds during the school day and can not participate in extra-curricular activities.
The students are also expected to participate in 40 hours of community service. The two students were involved in separate incidents which occurred earlier this fall.
The Tyrone Area School Board also took action against an 11th-grade student for violating the district’s Drug Awareness policy. The student was expelled for a 20-day period.
