Second-Graders Face Possible Expulsion

Two second-graders may face expulsion because one of the pair brought a pocketknife to Killybrooke Elementary School on Wednesday, and it was used it to slit the tire of a teacher’s car, school authorities said.

“It is really a small incident, but because of the no-tolerance” rule in the district against “having knives at school,” both 7-year-olds face expulsion, said Killybrooke Principal Ned Hall.

Because of their ages and the circumstances, Hall said, he may recommend a lesser punishment to the district superintendent.

The two are the youngest students to be reprimanded for a weapons-related incident in Newport-Mesa Unified School District history.

The children were waiting to be picked up at the end of the school day when one of the students brought out his father’s pocketknife, Hall said, adding that there was no intention to vandalize a particular teacher’s car.

“At this point,” he said, “I don’t know which one is guilty” of bringing the small, single-blade knife to school or which student slit the tire. “One of the kids apologized (to the teacher with the slit tire) and neither one had her for a teacher. It was just bad judgment,” he said.

“Both (the students’) parents have been very cooperative and very embarrassed by this,” Hall said, adding that “because it is a dangerous object, we do want to send a message to other kids not to bring weapons to school.”

The children have been suspended pending further action. The district will consider arranging a home tutor for them.

A hearing will be held April 13 between Hall and the children’s parents, who have already agreed to pay $90 for the tire. An expulsion hearing may follow. The Board of Education has final say in an expulsion.

About two months ago a third-grader was expelled for playing with a kitchen knife at Sonora Elementary, a district school in Costa Mesa. The student’s expulsion was set aside, and he was allowed to enroll in another district school.

Hall said the second-graders, who do not have a history of mischievous behavior, are likely to face the same punishment.

Robert Francy, student services director for the district, said the zero-tolerance policy carries a penalty that may seem harsh for an incident such as this.

“We have a policy of recommendation for expulsion at every grade level” for weapons possession, Francy said. “It serves notice to all families and students that if they come on campus with a weapon, they will be punished. It is a strong deterrent.”