As the national conversation about guns and mass shootings intensifies, the Natomas Unified School District is headed to court this week to keep a student who twice brought two pellet-style handguns to school from starting classes on Wednesday.
The district says the student, who attended the K-8 Heron School, brought the guns onto the campus, “dry fired” one without any loaded pellets, and “wanted other students to think he had a real gun” in March of this year.
The district’s decision to expel him for these actions was overturned by the Sacramento County Office of Education in July.
In a letter sent to parents last Friday, the district said it’s concerned about safety should this student be allowed back.
“It is clear that in the moment, students, staff and parents did not feel safe and were, rightfully, concerned about a potential gun on campus,” the district said in the letter of the incident.
The letter also mentions the recent shooting at the Gilroy Garlic Festival, and others across the nation. “Natomas Unified will continue to hold students accountable for their dangerous decisions plus offer those students and families social emotional support/mental health support. Expelling a student who made these choices is the correct decision,” it reads.
“What we're hoping for is that through filing this lawsuit we will get a decision quickly before the start of school in which the student will not be allowed to return,” said Deidra Powell, a district spokeswoman.
The county Office of Education says the district letter sent to parents was irresponsible.
“It selectively and misleadingly portrays information from a confidential student matter, without providing all the facts and circumstances,” the office said in a written statement.
It also says the court will show its decision was appropriate and correct, and that student safety is its primary concern. At the same time, the office says it must protect the rights and privacy of all students.
“Before a student may be expelled from school, a school district must follow the law, including conducting a fair hearing, following the required legal procedures, showing that the student is a continuing danger, and basing its expulsion decision on sufficient, reliable facts,” the office said.
Powell was unsure on Friday as to when the court may hear the district’s case.
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