District provides update on school-handgun claim

Editor's note: Joseph Jones is a Register correspondent representing vermiliondaily.com. VERMILION — Officials representing Vermilion Schools clarified details following last week's report of a student allegedly bringing a handgun to Vermilion High School. Wes Weaver, the district's assistant superintendent, 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 this very student, however, is pending. But it's not known what for, since the district noted it cannot release specifics in regard to students and discipline. 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 • Ensuring supervision and access control at school entrances What happened? Weaver also outlined how the district responded in this particular case. The initial report came in on Thursday, though it was alleged the gun was seen on Wednesday. The student involved was not present at school on 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," Weaver said. "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.