Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Student with gun at school is sent home

A student at Gurdon High School will spend the remainder of the school year at home after school officials found a gun in his vehicle on school property.

The Gurdon School Board met in a called meeting on Thursday, May 3, to consider the expulsion of the high school junior. In a letter addressed to the students mother and released by the school, Superintendent Bobby Smithson said the student is charged with possession of a firearm on Gurdon High School campus.

Once the hearing began, the students mother stated that she wished for the hearing to take place in closed session. This is permissible by law. The board heard testimony from school officials as to the reason the expulsion was recommended as well as testimony from witnesses called by the student.

The board went into executive session to discuss the case. After coming out of executive session, the boards decision was announced.

Board member Mark Sanford presented the boards decision. He said that although the recommendation was to expel the student for a year, the board chose to send him home for the remainder of the year. He will also be allowed to continue his academic work from home.

After the meeting, Smithson said the punishment could be looked at as an expulsion even though the student will be able to complete his academic work. The student will receive all academic credit as long as he maintains a passing grade.

The board also said the student would have to be evaluated by a licensed profession as to his state of mind before he is allowed back to school. Sanford said the school does not need to know the outcome of the session but will need proof that he is complying.

We have a responsibility to the students and the school, he said.

The gun, which had been kept by GHS resource officer Thomas Free, was returned to its owner after the meeting.