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Lakewood [Change Location]

Felons, explosives and Green Mountain High School

Article Contributed on: 1/15/2007 1:57:23 AM

On 12/7/2006, Green Mountain High School sent out a message to parents about two students being arrested for activating a device from baking soda and vinegar on the previous day. In disbelief that something comparable to a science fair project could land two students in jail, I did some investigating.

I learned that the students involved are A-B students, are involved in school activities, are working on their Eagle rank in Boy Scouts and are active in their church. Their "explosive" consisted of a 2-ounce bottle (small enough that it could have been legally brought on an airplane) and the projectile was the rubber top of an eye dropper that was aimed at the floor. This device did not hurt anyone and barely attracted the attention of the students in the cafeteria at that time.

For perpetrating this "geeky" prank they were expelled from school for a year. They were charged with carrying a concealed weapon or possession of a weapon at school (a felony), possession of explosives or incendiary devices (a felony) and reckless endangerment (a misdemeanor) Initially they were denied bail for being potential threats to society which resulted in them spending seven days in the Mount View Detention Center. (In fairness, I need to mention that the school has reduced the expulsion and the prosecutor has dropped the weapon's charge.)

In contrast, I have been told that the customary punishment for physically fighting or possession of marijuana (two very real crimes) at the high school is 3 and 10 days suspension, respectively. In addition, law enforcement is not brought in for each occurrence.

I agree that the safety of our children at school is of paramount importance. I know that the actions of these students were inappropriate and that they deserved to be reprimanded in some way. I understand that the GMHS administration needed to let the rest of the student body know that such pranks would not be tolerated.

However, this punishment is excessive for the "crime" committed. If the administration at GMHS really cares about the students, how could they pursue such extreme actions that would potentially ruin the lives of two excellent students?

My personal feelings are that the time served in jail and out of school is more than what they deserved. I hope and pray that someone somewhere in authority will recognize the actual harmlessness of their intentions and actions and reprieve them of these disproportionate consequences.

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Showing 1-10 of 10 comments
Lisa Scott wrote on 1/19/2007 @ 10:50:00 AM

Thanks for the clarifications, Diane. I do feel terrible for these boys and for their families. Having a teenager who also did something stupid and got into trouble at school, I know as well as anyone that teenagers are going to make bad choices. They should learn from those experiences and not have their lives ruined for one bad choice. I would hope also that our criminal justice system makes a fair and reasonable decision on the charges against them. Twenty years ago I am sure that a principal would have handled this in-house and never even called the police. Then Columbine happened and now if something goes bang in the cafeteria, a principal must act first and ask questions later. Again, it's too bad that it has come to this.
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chris buckius wrote on 1/17/2007 @ 9:47:14 AM

Jefferson County school district is over the edge of reality when it comes to its students. It would seem they don’t consider the long term effects of decisions made in the lives of the students. The purpose of the school system is to form these young lives, educate them and nurture them to an extent, not destroy them and ruin their lives! The district needs to take a realistic approach to education, discipline and human value! They need to get away from the blanket approach to punishment. Remember on Airplane (the movie) the old lady walks through Airport security and gets slammed for a knitting needle? The terrorist walked through with weapons, ammo, and RPG’s? Is it really coming to this?
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Diane Zaugg wrote on 1/16/2007 @ 9:03:41 PM

I wanted to take a moment and reiterate some things for Ms. Scott. I agree that the school is not responsible for what they did. I agree that what they did was stupid. I even agree that they should have been suspended. But as I pointed out in the article, the school is wanting to EXPEL them for a semester (originally two) in addition to the 2 weeks they missed at the end of last semester. This seems excessive. You are also right about the criminal charges being out of the hands of the school. That is why I hope for level headed members of our judicial system who will put all this into perspective. However, it was the school that initiated the legal process. How much influence they had on what charges were filed is unknown. I hope this helps clarify some things.
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Lisa Scott wrote on 1/16/2007 @ 4:47:39 PM

You don't say how long of a suspension the students will ultimately end up serving. I would assume it is only a short time given everything else that has happened to them. And, it isn't the school's decision to make whether to drop the criminal charges - that is a matter for the criminal justice system. Maybe the lesson in this is that, given the scary things that have happened at schools recently, this kind of prank just isn't funny and isn't a minor thing anymore. It's too bad but I find it hard to blame the school for what they did.
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Vicki Pemberton wrote on 1/16/2007 @ 2:52:06 PM

Thanks for your story Diane. I too know these boys and have taught them in Sunday School. Fine young men who made the mistake of pulling a "prank" not a "crime". Hopefully they can return to school soon where they belong.
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John Zwick wrote on 1/16/2007 @ 1:11:49 PM

I try to stay out of these things, but incendiary devices, by definition, involves fire. I suppose the nature of of expanding gas under pressure can be considered "explosive" under the most over-the-top interpretation, but is there something I don't know or understand about their device?
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Charles Peterson wrote on 1/16/2007 @ 10:21:55 AM

I have had the opportunity to be one backpack trips with these two boys. I can vouch for their characters. If I have the facts straight, the punishment suggested seems like overkill. I hope the powers that be will administer a fair and just punishment.
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Todd Sparks wrote on 1/15/2007 @ 4:59:20 PM

And people wonder why kids are so "crazy"?
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Courtney Erker wrote on 1/15/2007 @ 1:03:24 PM

Thank you for posting this- As a student at GMHS, I know that any type of threat has to be taken seriously, but the punishment that these students are being subjected to is unfair. Schools do need to find a balance between fair and unfair punishments for the varying situations in a school setting.
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Erin Feese wrote on 1/15/2007 @ 9:17:33 AM

Thanks for sharing, Diane -- it's a such a tough call when school safety is concerned, but as you said, these are two students with a good track record -- maybe that should have be taken into consideration more?
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Showing 1-10 of 10 comments