Student placed on probation for having pocket knife at school

GENTRY — Gentry School Board, at a special meeting on Monday, took up a recommendation of Gentry Public Schools superintendent Randy Barrett to expel a middle school student for being in possession of a pocket knife at school.

In an open hearing - an option requested by the parent of the student - the student's mother presented information to the board on her efforts to remedy the problem, both at home and through Benton County’s juvenile services.

After hearing the middle school principal's testimony that he did not consider the student a threat, the board went into closed session for further deliberations.

The board returned to open session and modified the superintendent's recommendation and placed the student on probation with contingencies, including periodic reports from the juvenile's county-appointed counselor and random searches of the student's person and possessions.

In other business, board member Clarence Kreger reported that the McKee Family had donated towards equipping the new multi-purpose athletics and activities facility which is now on the drawing board.

Previously, the district also received another gift from the McKee Family, through the Arkansas Community Foundation, for the same purpose.