BUENA PARK : 6th-Grader Expelled for Knife on Campus

A sixth-grader at Charles G. Emery Elementary School was expelled by the Buena Park School District Board of Trustees this week for bringing a small knife onto campus.

Supt. Jack Townsend said the 12-year-old boy became involved in a situation with other students and used the knife, which he described as a small razor-type knife, in an inappropriate way.

“The board heard the case and, after examining the circumstances, this was the proper action to take,” said Townsend, who would not elaborate on the incident.

Townsend said while the boy was expelled, he will be allowed to attend another school.

“It gives him the chance to go back to another school,” said Trustee Lloyd G. Davis. “We asked the district to find him another acceptable school. But he can’t go back to the one where the incident occurred.”

Last school year, two boys from Carl E. Gilbert Elementary School were expelled for bringing a pellet pistol to school.

Davis said the district has zero tolerance for any child who brings a weapon to school.

“We don’t take it lightly,” he said. “Any kind of weapon at school could injure someone.”

Townsend also said that students have been informed that under no circumstance can they bring a weapon to school.

“If they do, they will face an expulsion hearing,” he said.