Huntingtown, MD – A phone call from a concerned parent helped defuse a potentially hazardous situation at a Calvert County High School today.
An unidentified parent received a tip that a Huntingtown High School (HHS) student was planning to bring a gun to school. The parent relayed the information to school officials along with the name of the student who was planning to bring the gun, a Calvert County school administrator said.
“It was not a real gun,” Calvert County Public School (CCPS) Community Resources and School Safety Specialist Larry Titus told The BayNet.
In a letter sent to HHS parents, Principal Rick Weber stated, “our administrators and liaison officer responded quickly, locating the student and finding a look-alike gun. Huntingtown High is currently operating on a normal schedule. The building was not on lockdown. Thanks to the immediate report of the possible danger and the swift action of our administrators and local law enforcement. At no time was a threat made to any specific students, staff or group. Appropriate action has been taken in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct.”
Both Titus and Department of Student Services Director Kim Roof declined to discuss the punishment for the student who brought the pellet gun to school.
According to CCPS policy and procedures, a look-alike weapon—one that “would reasonably lead a person to believe it was a weapon or could be used as a weapon” is prohibited on school property. A student violating the policy could receive a warning, given and in-school suspension or in-school intervention, suspended up to 10 days or recommended by a school administrator for a longer suspension or expulsion.
“Reporting potential threats to our students continues to be a highly effective way to keep our schools safe,” Weber stated.
Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com