Expelled teen conditionally reinstated

RICHLAND, Mich. (WOOD) - The Gull Lake Community Schools Board of Education has voted to conditionally reinstate a student who was expelled after bringing a gun to school.

The boy was 13 years old when he was arrested in November 2011 after he stole his parent's car and brought a 1920s handgun and 200 rounds of ammunition to Gull Lake Middle School ,and hid the weapon in the parking lot. It was soon recovered by an administrator.

This year, the student applied for re-admission to the district -- this time as a high school freshman.

The school board went into closed session for more than three hours Monday night to discuss the issue.

Under the conditions of his reinstatement -- which is effective Dec. 21. -- the student must finish his high school career at Gateway Academy, an alternative school within the Gull Lake district.

Other conditions listed in the resolution that re-admitted the student into the district:

• The student and the parents will sign and abide by the applicable Gateway Academy contracts. Any violations may result in the student's permanent, immediate expulsion.
• The student will sign and abide by a behavior contract developed by the superintendent. Any violation may result in the student's permanent, immediate expulsion.
• The student is banned from district transportation until Jan. 1, 2014. The student may participate in transportation thereafter only if transportation is deemed appropriate by the district superintendent.
• The student is banned from all district property, except Gateway Academy, until Jan. 1, 2014. The student may enter school property thereafter only if the superintendent deems it appropriate.
• The student will obtain an updated risk assessment from a qualified mental health professional who has expertise assessing adolescents for safety issues as approved by the superintendent. If the risk assessment is not satisfactory, as determined by the superintendent, the student's expulsion will continue permanently.

The student's mother, Janice Metzger, said she is "relieved that it's over."

"We kind of knew, but we want to just get on with our lives now, no matter what," Metzger added. "At this point, we were just to the point where just give us your decision and let us move on."

Some other district parents were outraged the district even considered reinstating the student. But the parents of the boy in question, Janice and Patrick Metzger, told 24 Hour News 8 in November that community members should not be afraid of their son and that he should be allowed to go back to school. They said the gun was an antique that didn't even work.

At the Monday evening meeting, six parents spoke against allowing the student back into school. Three spoke in favor of the student.

"I guess my initial reaction is a little bit disappointing. I would have preferred a permanent expulsion," concerned parent Patricia Correa told 24 Hour News 8 after the vote. "I think there are some things you have zero tolerance for, and I'm very concerned in the message this sends to the community, especially our children."

Some referenced the Dec. 14 mass shooting at a Connecticut elementary school.

"Some people have escalated this situation beyond the level of necessary, creating fear-mongering in this community," said parent Kelly Baldwin. "These radical actions and any other unrelated events in the news should have no bearing on the decision tonight."

Others just wanted the student to have another opportunity to succeed.

"I pray that you give him another chance. I personally know that by giving a good kid another chance, it makes a huge impact on his life afterwards," said parent Katrina Smit.

But other parents were worried about their children's safety.

"The board can volunteer to throw open the doors and welcome the known risk into our school. The board can volunteer to gamble the lives of our children, and hope that they're right," said concerned parent Michelle Tombro Tracy.

"How long are we going to sit on our hands and hope that nothing bad happens?" asked concerned parent Marianne Drewry.

A committee made a recommendation to the school board about whether to reinstate the student before the Monday evening meeting, but that recommendation was kept confidential.

One parent filed a lawsuit requesting a judge to order the school to release the recommendation, but that lawsuit was defeated, 24 Hour News 8 was told.

A federal lawsuit is still pending. The plaintiffs had requested an injunction, but it was denied. The lawsuit itself remains. The district has until February 2013 to answer the lawsuit.