VERMILION — School officials have clarified details following last week’s report of a student allegedly bringing a handgun to Vermilion High School.
Assistant Superintendent Wes Weaver confirmed that no firearm was recovered during the investigation. Administrators and the school resource officer reviewed the allegation over two days and determined “the preponderance of evidence suggested it was true.” Disciplinary action against the student is pending, though the district said it cannot release specifics now or later. Weaver pointed to the district’s suspension and expulsion policy, which mandates a one-year expulsion for bringing a firearm to school.
In his written response, Weaver detailed the district’s proactive and reactive safety measures. Preventative steps include encouraging students to immediately report any knowledge of weapons, building strong staff-student relationships, fostering a supportive environment, addressing mental health and behavioral needs, and ensuring supervision and access control at school entrances.
Weaver also outlined how the district responded in this particular case. The initial report came in Thursday, though it was alleged the gun was seen Wednesday. The student involved was not present at school Thursday or Friday, which meant a lockdown was unnecessary. Parents and law enforcement were notified immediately, and police verified the student’s whereabouts. Administrators spent Thursday and Friday gathering additional evidence beyond a single witness statement, then notified parents of the situation on Friday. A threat assessment team began reviewing the case that same day, and measures remain in place to keep the student off school property.
Weaver emphasized that the district’s response followed established protocols: “The well-being of our students and staff are of paramount importance, and we appreciate the trust you have placed in us. When this information came to light, our staff immediately reacted by following protocols put in place to ensure everyone’s safety. I appreciate their diligence and dedication this week.”
The district will not identify the student involved, citing safety and privacy protections for minors. No injuries were reported.
According to Vermilion Local Schools policy 5610:
Policy 5610 — Firearm or Knife
“Unless a student is permanently excluded from school, the Superintendent shall expel a student from school for a period of one (1) year for bringing a firearm or knife capable of causing serious bodily injury to a school building or on to any other property (including a school vehicle) owned, controlled, or operated by the Board, an interscholastic competition, an extra-curricular event, or any other school program or activity that is not located in a school or on property that is owned or controlled by the Board, except that the Superintendent may reduce this period on a case-by-case basis in accordance with this policy.
Similarly, the Superintendent shall expel a student from school for a period of one (1) year for possessing a firearm or knife capable of causing serious bodily injury at school or on any other property (including a school vehicle) owned, controlled, or operated by the Board, an interscholastic competition, an extra-curricular event, or any other school program or activity that is not located in a school or on property that is owned or controlled by the Board, except that the Superintendent may reduce this period on a case-by-case basis in accordance with this policy.
The expulsion may extend, as necessary, into the school year following the school year in which the incident that gives rise to the expulsion takes place. The Superintendent shall refer any student expelled for bringing a firearm (as defined in 18 U.S.C. 921(a)(3)) or weapon to school to the criminal justice or juvenile delinquency system serving the District.”
Source: Vermilion Local Schools Policy 5610
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