Wilkes-barre

Agnes Walsh 
Jan. 11, 1994 
Agnes G. Walsh, 91, Of Wilkes-barre, Died Tuesday In The Heritage House, 
Wilkes-barre, Where She Resided.

By ANNE KAROLYI; Times Leader Staff Writer
 Friday, January 14, 1994 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 2A QUICK WORDS: HANOVER AREA MUM ON
GUN-KNIFE CASE 





HANOVER TWP. -- Hanover Area School District officials are keeping quiet
about a high school student who allegedly brought a gun and knife to school
recently. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The 15-year-old boy had a knife in his locker last Thursday, said William
Watkins, assistant chief of Hanover Township police. When confronted, the boy
admitted he also had brought a handgun to school Wednesday, Watkins said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Watkins said he could provide no other details about the case, which is in
the hands of Luzerne County juvenile authorities. John Kmetz, Hanover Area
superintendent, said the district's attorneys have advised administrators and
the school board to say nothing. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "It is a legal proceeding, and it involves a student's civil rights," Kmetz
said. "When it's over, I'll discuss it." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Kmetz said the alleged incident counts as a "level four offense," the most
severe, in the district's student discipline policy. The policy, outlined in
the district's student handbook, says such an offense consists of activities
that are illegal, threaten the safety of others or result in violence to
people or property. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "The board will implement the policy and will do whatever they have to to
ensure the safety of the students of Hanover Area School District. And that's
that," Kmetz said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The policy lists 15 examples of such violations, including the possession,
use, concealment or transfer of dangerous weapons and endangering the safety
of others. According to the policy, the board has several options on how to
deal with the offender, including but not limited to a conference with the
superintendent, a formal hearing before the school board, temporary or
permanent expulsion or referral to law enforcement authorities. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The incident is the latest of several recent cases of students bringing
weapons on school property: &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 In October, Wilkes-Barre Area officials caught a 16-year-old Coughlin High
School student with a .357 Magnum revolver in his tote bag. The student was
sent to a home for juvenile delinquents, where authorities said he could
remain until he is 21 years old. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 A 13-year-old Tunkhannock Area Middle School eighth-grader brought a
stolen, loaded .38-caliber revolver to a football game in November. He was
expelled and the district agreed to tutor him at home. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Also in November, a 17-year-old Riverside High School senior toted a
sawed-off shotgun to school. He was expelled and sent to a juvenile detention
center for evaluation. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 This fall, Wyoming Valley West School District had local police do checks
of student lockers at the high school in Plymouth and middle school in
Kingston, said Jim Youngblood, school board president. The sweeps, which were
a surprise to students, revealed no weapons or drugs, Youngblood said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "They want to stress upon the kids they can do this anytime," Youngblood
said. "They have to get the message that they can't bring this stuff to
school." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The district has had no "serious" incidents with students carrying weapons,
Superintendent Norman Namey said. This fall, a high school student was caught
with a knife, he said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The student, who Namey described as "not a trouble-maker," was suspended,
the superintendent said.

Hanover Area Mum On Gun-knife Case 
Police Say A 15-year-old Boy 
Brought A Handgun And A Knife 
To School Last Week, But School 
Officials, Concerned About His 
Civil Rights, Won't Discuss Matter

Hanover Area Mum On Gun-knife Case Police Say A 15-year-old Boy Brought A Handgun And A Knife To School Last Week, But School Officials, Concerned About His Civil Rights, Won't Discuss Matter