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Officials in Orange say student admits inadvertently bringing hunting rifle onto school grounds Date published: 11/1/2009
BY ROBIN KNEPPER
An Orange County High School student has been suspended after admitting he parked on school grounds with a .22-caliber hunting rifle in the back of his truck. On Thursday, Principal Gene Kotulka alerted parents that a .22-caliber shell casing was found by a teacher in a classroom. Several students sitting in the area were questioned, and one admitted that he had been hunting and had left his rifle in his truck. The student was very upfront and apologetic about it, according to Superintendent Bob Grimesey, but he was suspended pending the outcome of a hearing process. According to Grimesey, School Board policy makes it clear that students must not bring any firearms to school property and states that the sanction for such action is "expulsion for at least one year." He adds, however, that policy also allows the School Board to "exercise discretion in rendering all final decisions relative to long-term suspensions and expulsions." Once a school administration completes its investigation and renders a final decision, the case is re-examined by a discipline hearing officer. The school administration presents its facts and its recommendation, and the student and his parents are allowed to respond. The hearing officer may reject, modify or confirm the school administration's recommendation. If the recommendation for expulsion still stands following the hearing officer's review, the case is heard before the School Board. "Only the School Board maintains the authority in a firearms case to issue disciplinary action other than expulsion," Grimesey wrote in response to an inquiry. "I am confident that the members of our School Board do not tolerate weapons on school grounds," he continued. "At the same time, they are very intelligent people who understand the need to evaluate all facts associated with disciplinary matters. "As of Friday this case has not yet been referred to the discipline hearing officer so it is premature for me to pre-suppose any timetable or outcome," he wrote. The suspended student will be allowed to keep up with his assignments in the same way any other students may keep up with their work during extended absences. Robin Knepper: 540/972-5701
There are not enough facts in the story to determine if this applies here, but according to an opinion issued by the Attorney General of Virginia, school boards are not authorized to expel a student solely for the act of securing a firearm in their vehicle on school property. They may do so if there are other offensive actions associated with the fact, but not only because of the firearm itself. Maybe this student should hire a lawyer. http://www.oag.state.va.us/OPINIONS/2003opns/03-083w.pdf
means you never "forget" where your weapon is. While I applaud the young man for owning up, this is a good lesson for him to learn now. How many accidental gun deaths have there been because someone forgot they left a weapon somewhere that a child could get to it? I have no problem with hunting or owning guns for any legal reason, but along with that comes alot of responsibility.
Just more of the same nonsense that gets kids kicked out for having a butter knife. Yes Common Sense has left the building; it got evacuated when a little thermometer broke, and never came back.
I'd bet every principal will overreact to an empty shell casing - I'd reason better that than the legal/moral liability if by slimmest possibility an incident occurred. Teen hunters need to remember that history. That said, in this specific case, kid was upfront. Hit him with the one year suspension -reduce most of that to something reasonable (one week?), hope all the others drive by home before school to offload their guns. Punishment in this case should fit the crime.
i think you would be surprised at how many guns you would find in the parking lot in orange, king george, spotsy high. i know i kept my 12 gauge behind the bench seat in my truck and several guys i knew did as well, especially this time of year...hunting before and after school was commonplace...not a big deal. i heard you can get suspended for keeping a baseball bat in your car these days...ridiculous
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