DIAMOND, W.Va. — A student at Midland Trail Elementary in Kanawha County has been removed from class after he was found with a gun on a school bus Wednesday afternoon. Principal Grant Davis could not talk about the child’s age or grade but reports indicate it was a first grade student.
The female bus driver spotted the weapon during the drive home from school. That’s when she pulled the bus over and called for assistance. Davis said when he found out, he made a call to the board of education and then jumped into action.
“I took off and went to be personally on the bus with the bus driver and the students just to make sure that we had safety and order and everything was taken care of,” the principal said.
The gun was not loaded and inoperable. No students were injured.
State policy requires the student, no matter what the age or circumstance, go through the expulsion process for a weapons violation. That includes a hearing with the board of education to sort through the facts.
“We will work closely with the board of education to make sure the best decisions are made for all students,” said Davis.
He explained the next step.
“Myself and the guidance teacher will personally take time to visit every classroom to discuss what happened and make sure every student knows how important it is to make someone aware if there is a danger situation,” said Davis.
As for whether he ever imagined a situation like this would happen at his school, Davis said they plan for it but hope it never happens.