Falls High student expelled for one year Sawed-off shotgun was found in truck

A Falls High School student has been expelled for one year for possession of an illegal firearm at the school last week.
The decision was made last night by Percy Lingen, superintendent of International Falls School District 361, after the student refused his right to a hearing.
“The process is that a student that has done something to warrant the expulsion can have a hearing,” noted Lingen. “He elected not to have a hearing, so we went ahead with the expulsion.”
The decision means the student, whose identity is protected under the Minnesota Data Privacies Act, cannot attend Falls High for one calendar year. He will be allowed back into the school May 18, 2005.
Gordy Dault, who’s been principal at Falls High for eight years, said this is the first time an incident such as this has occurred there.
The school’s policy clearly states this violation warrants the one-year expulsion, as is outlined in the student handbook.
The bust was initiated by police after they received a report a student had an illegal firearm in his possession. The firearm—a sawed-off shotgun—was being kept (unloaded) in a pickup truck in the school’s parking lot.
The student said he had forgotten the weapon was in his truck.
“The state and federal laws are very specific—schools are weapon-free zones with zero tolerance,” said Dault. “We just follow our procedure.”
Capt. Darryl Waller of the International Falls Police Department was working the day they received the tip and headed the investigation.
“It was third-hand information,” said Capt. Waller, who also is the juvenile officer. “Somebody came to one of the officers and said they were sure there was a gun.
“I’m assuming that he must have been bragging about it or talking about it.”
Apparently the student had made a trade to get the gun and was planning on replacing the barrel when he could afford it.
“We didn’t feel that there was any intent on the part of the student to cause harm,” said Dault. “But it was still a serious mistake.”
Dault said parents of other students were concerned and just wanted to know that something was done quickly, which was Lingen’s first priority in dealing with the issue.
“We, of course, are going to act quickly to investigate any type of firearms violations because, of course, like any school, our students’ safety is paramount for us,” said Lingen.
“Our primary concern is making sure our students are safe.”
The student has been charged with possession of an illegal firearm on school property and for having a gun with an illegal barrel.
“We’re looking at a kid who goofed up, that’s how you look at this,” said Capt. Waller. “My goal is to get the message out that there will be no exceptions, there will be no guns or weapons on this school property.
Are we looking for jail time? No. I’m recommending whatever is necessary so that this doesn’t happen again,” he remarked.