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Superintendent says school dealt promptly with complaint about knife on campus

By Howard B. Owens

The district superintendent for BOCES says a student complaint about an instructor with an unauthorized pocketknife on campus was taken seriously and dealt with promptly after the student contacted The Batavian to complain about what she perceived as an inadequate response.

Kevin MacDonald said as soon as the Batavia principal was contacted by the student the situation was dealt with and that the instructor involved felt "horrible" about the mistake. The pocketknife is something she normally carries with her off campus and forgot it was clipped on the pocket of her utility pants, making it clearly visible to students.

The student who contacted The Batavian said she was concerned the issue hadn't been dealt with and MacDonald suggested the student wasn't aware of what went on after she spoke with a principal.

While sharp objects -- knives, saws, scissors, and other items -- are part of the instructional environment on the Batavia CTE campus, neither students nor faculty are allowed to bring knives onto campus.

The parents of three students who expressed concern about the knife were contacted by phone by school officials, MacDonald said.

"I'm confident our staff handled the situation very well," MacDonald said.

Here is a statement from District Superintendent Kevin MacDonald:

On Wednesday, March 20, a student who attends the Batavia Career and Technical Education Center, reported that an instructor was carrying a knife that was visible to students.

Administration was notified of the report and the student’s concerns. A conversation was had with the instructor who was carrying a knife. She immediately removed the knife from the building. She apologized noting that it was an honest mistake. Administration met with the student who reported the incident. Parents were notified of the situation that occurred.

The Genesee Valley Educational Partnership has a board policy that states that weapons are not allowed on campuses, however, the policy does note that tools and other equipment, like knives and scissors, are allowed as long as the implement is part of the approved career and technical education program. The welfare of our students is of utmost importance and we take reports like this seriously.

Ray Richardson

Give me a break. Sounds like somebody's trying to stick it to the teacher. The place is full of knives, saws and scissors and everybody's undies are in a bunch over a teacher's pocket knife hanging in plain view? I have a pocket knife with me everywhere I go because I never know where the next sliver is coming from. Lock me up and throw away the key. What in the hell has the world come to?

Mar 21, 2019, 3:58pm Permalink
Thomas Callan

All Teachers and School Employees should be armed to the teeth!! How many school shootings happen in Israel? The Far Left Libs Love This Stuff!

Mar 21, 2019, 4:23pm Permalink
Candace Bower

As a teacher, I know many kids live on farms and come to school after doing their chores. They forget to leave things like this home. Teachers at the career center also have other jobs. The knife should have been confiscated but I see no crime here.

Mar 21, 2019, 5:09pm Permalink
Thomas Callan

Candace, you are too young to remember the days when we could take shot guns to school, and ride the bus to our buddies farm, help him with chores, bag your limit, then get a ride home before the Old man got home for supper. Whenwe referredto Libs as Beatniks or Communists!! We also had supervised shooting in the cafeteria (bb & pelitt) and could disassemble a rifle in shop to clean or maintain it.

Mar 21, 2019, 5:54pm Permalink
Rich Richmond

I always carry a knife and have been since 1964 at the age of nine-a Case Trapper. I carried one all through school, college, and at work. Where's the common sense here? This is a clear case of over-reaction. How about, "Please put it in your vehicle, thank you," end of story.

Now keep in mind common sense and zero tolerance for students tends to be the trends in the nations schools.

https://www.cnn.com/2014/03/04/us/ohio-boy-suspended-finger-gun/index.h…

https://www.foxnews.com/us/utah-student-feels-bad-for-teacher-who-made-…

Mar 21, 2019, 6:43pm Permalink
Rich Richmond

Tom, exactly why I carry.

Thomas, the Albany beltway left-wing progressives have a bill waiting to eliminate them. They don't like something, it doesn't affect them, it is politically incorrect, and they pass a law to ban it.

https://thefederalistpapers.org/us/bill-to-ban-archery-shooting-from-al…

They are also want to ban fur in New York, as does PETA.

https://www.wkbw.com/news/local-news/new-proposal-could-ban-the-sale-of…

Our rights are being infringed upon incrementally.

Trap shooting clay birds. PETA is against eating meat, fur, and everyone must comply, and the same for the Liberal Progressive Democrats in Albany. Perhaps the left wing Democrats in Albany think clay birds are an endangered species.

Mar 22, 2019, 9:57am Permalink
Thomas Callan

They don't want cows either, because they fart? I`d rather smell a fart, than listen to a liberal. You`re a Good Man Rich! May The Road Rise Up.....

Mar 22, 2019, 1:04pm Permalink

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