LIHU’E – Kapa’a Middle School Principal Mary Ann Bode has been asked to attend a PTSA meeting this month to brief parents on an incident involving a student who was caught carrying an unloaded gun at school. The meeting is
LIHU’E – Kapa’a Middle School Principal Mary Ann Bode has been asked to attend
a PTSA meeting this month to brief parents on an incident involving a student
who was caught carrying an unloaded gun at school.
The meeting is
scheduled for Wednesday, May 17, at 6:30 p.m. in the school’s
cafeteria.
“We expect people who want to know what happened to show up,”
said Laurel Brier, incoming PTSA president.
“I feel there needs to be more
open communication. Parents have concerns, and they want to talk about
it.”
Formal criminal charges could be brought against the student, whose
identity was not released because of her age. Kauai police Lt. Alvin Seto said
the case has been sent to the County Prosecutor’s Office for possible
prosecution.
A tip from one of the girl’s friends led a school security
guard to search her backpack where he found an unloaded .22-caliber handgun,
said Bode in a letter to the student’s parents. Students, Bode wrote, were in
no danger at any time.
The letter was sent three days after the incident
occurred on May 2.
After her arrest, the student was released to
parents.
Brier said she and other parents are concerned about the
incident.
“I am upset that it happened,” she said. I am concerned with the
welfare of the kids at school. I believe this is a bizarre, isolated
incident.”
But despite the incident, she said she feels the school
environment is still safe.
“We hope that we don’t have to become more
restrictive with the children because of the incident,” Brier said.
Under
state Department of Education rules, students found with firearms are to be
dismissed from school for not less than a one-year period.
School
superintendent Daniel Hamada, however, may modify the punishment.
DOE rules
also specify that if a student is dismissed, he or she shall be provided
alternate educational activities or other appropriate assistance.
It was
not known if the student was disciplined or if she had returned to school.
