Riverside Local board reviews April 24 campus incident after student was found with a firearm; no injuries reported

The Riverside Local Board of Education heard an April 24 briefing on a campus safety incident in which staff located a student who acknowledged having a firearm in a backpack. Administrators and Lake County Sheriff's Office representatives said the student was removed without injury, the campus had been locked down, and the district is reviewing communications and notification practices.

The board was told two students reported a disturbing social‑media post about another student, prompting assistant principal Mrs. Molina to alert campus administrators and search for the student. "We have real good relationships with our kids. They trusted our principal and came and gave us this tip," said Mr. Hall, the campus principal, describing how the initial report was brought forward and investigators moved quickly to locate the student.

Officials said deputies and school resource officers responded immediately, and law enforcement questioned the student, who acknowledged possession of a firearm in a backpack. School and sheriff's personnel removed the student from campus and isolated the situation without injury or further incident. A Lake County Sheriff's Office representative praised staff and training, saying the response relied on established relationships and practice.

District leaders said the response was effective but identified areas for improvement: some campus locations (bathrooms, fieldhouse, maintenance staff working off‑network) did not receive telephone or intercom lockdown alerts, and the district relies on texts and emails to reach families when time allows. Administrators said they will pursue changes—such as improved lockdown triggers and visible alerts—so the press of activity at end‑of‑day dismissal does not leave staff or contractors unaware of an active lockdown.

Board members and deputies also discussed the practicality of metal detectors. Speakers noted that the high school campus has dozens of entrances and internal doors and that staffing every entry and processing students through checkpoint equipment would create logistical and safety tradeoffs. Law‑enforcement speakers said metal detectors can be useful selectively but are not a simple cure for large, multi‑entrance campuses.

The district emphasized student privacy and said it will not disclose names or disciplinary details publicly. Officials said cameras and attendance rosters help with post‑incident review—staff estimated roughly 90 cameras and noted the roster system records block attendance—but that those tools are not a perfect substitute for real‑time location tracking during an evolving incident.

As next steps, the board voted to move into executive session to discuss safety and security arrangements and personnel matters related to the event. The motion to adjourn to executive session at 6:38 p.m. carried 5‑0.