The Free Press, Mankato, MN

Local News

June 9, 2009

Students may face charges

Altercation occurs during school activity

By Robb Murray

ST PETER — Two middle school students could face felony charges and possible sanctions from their school following an altercation during an end-of-the-year picnic at Seven Mile Creek Park.

The Nicollet County Sheriff’s Department said the altercation Wednesday involved two students from Dakota Meadows Middle School. One student brandished a knife, and he likely will face criminal charges. Another brandished a “piece of glass,” Nicollet County Deputy Karl Jensen said, and could possibly face charges.

The altercation, Jensen said, appeared to grow from an argument between two boys. Jensen said witnesses told deputies that one of the boys had been taunting the other. By the time teachers intervened and took the knife away, the boys had been separated.

Mankato Area Public Schools Supt. Ed Waltman said the district is unable to comment on specific incidents or students. He said the district’s policy, however, states that “no matter where the student is, if it’s a district activity, and there’s a weapon, we have a zero-tolerance policy for weapons.”

There are exceptions to that policy, however. If such incidents involve children with disabilities, the district is required by law to hold a hearing to determine what impact the child’s disability had on the incident.

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