Parents, students and first responders urge Arlington schools not to reinstate student who brought loaded handgun

At a regular Arlington Public Schools board meeting, multiple parents, students and community members urged the district not to allow a student expelled in 2024 for bringing a loaded, loaded handgun and extra magazines onto campus to return to Arlington High School. Speakers said the district’s initial plan to permit a supervised return — later reversed — left many parents shaken and demanded clearer, safer alternatives.

The chorus of public comment came during the meeting’s public comment period, when residents cited safety, transparency and state law. “By allowing this student back into school, you are also opening them up for more bullying,” one resident, identified only as Alexandria, said. “There are many alternative places to go to school at, like online learning. This would be safe for everyone involved.”

Speakers said the threat was not hypothetical. Chad Schmidt, a parent, alumnus and local fire chief, said the district must protect all students: "That second chance cannot come at the expense of our children's safety, and it shouldn't be on the backs of hundreds of innocent kids at the high school." Rob Marchand, a parent, criticized the proposed accommodations — constant teacher supervision, no backpack and daily searches — as inadequate: “Labeling him rehabilitated while mandating constant teacher supervision, no backpack, and daily searches screams distress, not reform.”

Several commenters said the district failed to notify parents promptly. “Parents were not informed,” said Chris Scott, who identified himself as a parent and aunt of district students. Scott also referenced state law in arguing the district had options other than on-campus return: “RCW 28A.600.420 makes it clear that superintendents have the authority to modify expulsions on a case-by-case basis and that nothing prevents a district from providing education in an alternative setting.”

Former student representative and recent graduate Zisha Reid framed the issue in moral terms and invoked the scale of the district: “By allowing students who are actively endangering innocent children back into schools over and over again, you choose the potential of one individual over the safety and security of more than 5,000 other lives,” she said.

Many speakers urged reliance on state guidance and mental-health supports rather than on-campus reentry. Holly, a parent, urged the district to “lean on the support of OSPI and apply for the Project AWARE grant to expand mental health services, care, and education” for students who bring firearms to campus. Others urged legislative change in Olympia so districts can more easily restrict return to campus after major weapons incidents.

A number of commenters said the district ultimately changed course. Rob Marchand told the board he appreciated “the fact that you have changed your decision in working with the parents and that that no longer is the case of him coming here.” Chris Scott also said he understood the student would not be returning this fall.

Speakers asked the board to adopt a default of alternative placement — for example, online instruction — for students who bring firearms to school and to increase transparency to parents about safety decisions. Several said they would support district or state-level policy changes that make alternative placements clearer and easier to implement.

The public comment period in the transcript is discussion and advocacy; the meeting excerpt does not show the board taking a formal vote on a reinstatement policy or an ordinance to change district expulsion procedure during the segment presented. Several commenters said they would work to pursue legislative change to clarify district authority and funding for alternative placements and mental-health supports.

The meeting moved on after the public comment period to other agenda items including routine reports and summer-program highlights.