Two NRMS students face expulsion

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Two more New Richmond students face expulsion after marijuana and drug paraphernalia were found in their possession on Friday, April 20.

Expulsion hearings were scheduled for the two juveniles, New Richmond Middle School students, on May 1.

According to police reports, one student brought a baggie of marijuana to school and was showing it to students before the school day began on April 20. School officials learned of the incident after four students reported it to Amanda Altmann, a school guidance counselor.

According to the report, Michele Wood, assistant principal, and Doug Hatch, principal, asked the student to empty his pockets and remove his shoes, but were unable to find any marijuana. After searching his locker, school officials did find a pipe commonly used for smoking marijuana.

After changing his story several times, the student said he wanted to “come clean” and allegedly produced a baggie of marijuana that had been hidden in his shoe. He first told officers that he had gotten the baggie from a man in Mary Park. Later he allegedly admitted to taking the baggie and pipe from his mother’s purse.

The student was referred to juvenile intake for possession of a controlled substance on school grounds, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia by a minor.

Later that same day, school officials learned that another student, a female, had drug paraphernalia in her possession. Upon searching her locker, school officials found three pipe-like devices, one made from a modified tire pressure gauge, used for smoking marijuana. The student allegedly claimed they were not hers and that they belonged to a friend.

The female student later admitted that she knew the pipes were used for smoking marijuana but continued to deny ownership.

The case was forwarded to juvenile intake for charges of possession of drug paraphernalia.

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