School leaders try to move past gun controversy

Published 6:00 am Wednesday, March 1, 2006

School officials said today they are trying to move pastcontroversy stemming from a student’s bringing a handgun ontocampus – and the actions of administrators who handled thesituation – and focus on educating students.

“We’ve done nothing wrong, so we’re going to move forward,” saidWesson Attendance Center Principal Billy Britt, who is at thecenter of the controversy.

Britt and Wesson Elementary School Principal Ronald Greer havebeen named in Wesson Police Department affidavits alleging theyviolated the law while handling a Feb. 21 student matter at theschool.

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Wesson Police Chief Steve Carlisle said affidavits filed by hisdepartment allege Britt failed to notify local law enforcement asrequired by law and then obstructed justice by not cooperating inthe investigation of the incident. An affidavit has also been filedagainst Greer for failing to notify local law enforcementofficials, Carlisle said.

The affidavits are being finalized by Wesson town prosecutor BobLawrence for possible presentation to a circuit court judge todetermine if probable cause exists to continue with formal charges,Carlisle said. Lawrence said he would discuss the case withCarlisle before a decision is made.

Britt, who has been attending a workshop the past two days, saidtoday he could not comment on the alleged wrongdoing.

Copiah County School District Superintendent Rickey Clopton, whohad also been unavailable until today, said he had not spoken toanyone officially about the affidavits.

“We’re waiting to hear if one will be filed,” he said.”Ultimately, we’ll hear whatever the facts are.”

Carlisle said state law mandates schools immediately notify thelocal law enforcement agency of any violent or unlawful act oneducational property. The possession or use of a deadly weapon,such as a firearm, is specifically listed as an unlawful act in thestatute, he said.

Under state law, before a teacher can be charged with committinga crime while in the performance of their duties, there must be aprobable cause hearing to determine if there is sufficientevidence. The law was enacted to protect certain positions ofauthority from undue incarceration.

Clopton said it is unfortunate school officials are limited inwhat they can say about situations involving students. Although hesupports the law, the superintendent said laws protecting minorslimit school officials’ ability to answer allegations.

“We continue to have class and refuse to allow this to turn intoa circus,” the superintendent said.

The affidavits stem from an incident at the school Feb. 21 whena seventh-grade student brought a handgun from home onto thecampus.

Britt has said the student never posed a danger to otherstudents, had no bullets and never displayed the handgun in athreatening manner to other students. School officials immediatelyconfiscated the pistol after being notified of it by a fellowstudent.

“We followed the requirements of our handbook,” Britt said thenext day. “We did notify the proper authorities. We didn’t notifythe police department because we have security here we workwith.”

The school district’s attorney, Olen Bryant, was also contactedand the school followed his guidance, Britt said.

The student was suspended for 10 days pending a hearing by theCopiah County School District Board of Trustees. The next regularlyscheduled meeting of the board is March 6, Clopton said. He expectsthe matter will be discussed in executive session at that time topreserve the identity of the student.

The student was placed under house arrest following a hearing inJuvenile Court in Hazlehurst until a second hearing could be heldlater this month, Carlisle said.