On September 23, School Superintendant Dr. Frank Alvarez wrote to Middle and High school parents informing them that the day before, September 22, the District learned of a serious incident involving a “weapon” that took place at Rye Middle School Friday, September 19.

By Tom McDermott

On September 23, School Superintendant Dr. Frank Alvarez wrote to Middle and High school parents informing them that the day before, September 22, the District learned of a serious incident involving a “weapon” that took place at Rye Middle School Friday, September 19.

The letter states that Middle School Principal – Dr. Ann Edwards – received a report that a student had a weapon in a backpack that other students may have observed. It continues to say that “the Middle School Administration immediately ensured the safety of our students, contacted the police, and commenced an investigation.”  

Some parents who read the letter were confused by it’s wording, thinking that a school official may have withheld information over the weekend. But, apparently the incident was not reported to the District office, the RMS Principal, or RMS “Administration” prior to Monday.

Rye Police confirmed that they had first received information regarding the incident on September 22. At press time, since they were working with County Police and the District Attorney’s office on an active investigation, Commissioner Pease said that they could not comment.

In his letter, Dr. Alvarez also reminded parents to consult the District’s Code of Conduct regarding the prohibition of  “weapons” on school grounds.

The Code of Conduct’s description of a violent student, includes one who possesses or displays a weapon or what appears to be a weapon while on school property. The Code’s description of what constitutes a weapon is long and inclusive. And, it prohibits anyone to, “Knowingly have in his/her possession upon any premises to which these rules apply, any rifle, shotgun, pistol, revolver or other firearm or weapon without written authorization of the chief administrative officer, whether or not a license to possess the same has been issued to such person with the exception of officers of the law.”

The Code also states that “Federal and state law mandate that a student who possesses a weapon be suspended from school for a minimum of one calendar year.”

Dr. Alvarez ended his letter by stating that the District is unable to comment further about the incident or to provide specific information concerning any students involved, as the information is “protected by federal law.”

There was no public discussion of the matter at the School Board’s September 23 meeting.

John Tobin, a Rye High parent, who contacted the paper, felt that Dr. Alvarez’s letter should have been more forceful and blunt regarding a “zero-tolerance policy about bringing guns on school property.”

By Wednesday CBS News was reporting that the Rye City School District Superintendant had confirmed that a student had brought a gun on campus in a backpack. Local sources reported that the student was pulled from his classroom Monday.