Boy, 13, is suspended for having knife at LMS

A 13-year-old Libby Middle School student has been suspended indefinitely for bringing a pocket knife to school, educators have confirmed.

The suspension came last Tuesday, Dec. 18, when the student displayed the pocket knife to a classmate, who then reported it to officials.

According to Libby Middle-High School Assistant Principal Jim Germany, the student brought knife with “about a two-inch blade” and showed it to other students who went to school officials.

“He told me, ‘it’s OK. This knife does not have a blade that is four inches,’” Germany said.

Germany said the school has a zero tolerance to any knife at Libby District 4 schools.

“There is this idea out there that as long as a knife has a blade less than four inches, that it’s OK. That’s just not true. Any knife in school is cause for dismissal,” Germany said. 

The boy has not been charged with a crime, and because he is a juvenile, The Western News, while his identity has been confirmed, will not identify him. 

Because of the incident, the student, who was on the LMS Honor Roll this spring, has been suspended indefinitely. Germany said the reason a date for his return to school has not been set is because the boy must meet with Libby Police Chief Jim Smith and Libby Schools Superintendent K.W. Maki.

“That meeting just has not been set,” said Germany, the assistant principal who handles discipline.

The incident came just four days after 26 students and teachers were killed in a school violence killing at Sandy Hook, a Newtown, Conn., elementary school.

“Yes, you can say we’re hyper-sensitive to school safety. We have to be,” Germany said. Still, Germany said the incident at Libby Middle School, which is under the same roof as Libby High School, was blown out of proportion, saying the boy did not threaten anyone with the knife.

Germany said as the investigation progressed, it was learned the boy created a list of fellow students he disliked. That list also included a list of teachers he finds supportive of his education.

“The whole thing is the issue with the list,” Germany said. 

Explaining his investigation, Germany said, as he talked to other students, it was learned he had drafted a “dislikes” list.

“It was one of these things where someone repeats (he) has a knife, and another persons says he has this list. We don’t even know whether there is any connection,” Germany said.

Still, Germany admitted all circumstances must be investigated, and it was for that reason, he sent a districtwide phone and e-mail message to parents of all district students.

“I sent both a phone message and an e-mail,” Germany said.

Here is the text of the e-mail Germany sent:

“Hello, this is Jim Germany, assistant principal of Libby Middle-High School. I am calling to inform you about an exaggerated rumor that has taken over the hallways of our school and made it’s way around the Facebook pages of the students and parents of our community.

“Please be advised that the administration and Libby Police Department have worked together to investigate the issue of a student’s threat of violence towards a list of his peers. We feel strongly that the situation has been dealt with properly, and we have taken all the proper procedures to insure that there is NO THREAT to any students in our school. We take these situation very serious(ly) and are very confident that the situation has been resolved. If you have specific questions, contact myself or Mr. (Rilk) Rewerts at the school, 293-8802, ext. 1925,” Germanys’ message concludes.

Parents of students who are peers of the suspended student have expressed concern both about a knife at school and a list of students who the suspended student disliked. Still, those parents would not comment on the record.