‘Zero tolerance means zero tolerance’: middle school principal; gang issues addressed

“If you bring a gun on any school campus in Arizona, you are going to be prosecuted by authorities,” said Stephanie Sharp in a post on the inmaricopa.com Forum Monday night. “Zero tolerance means zero tolerance at Maricopa Wells.”

These comments came in response to community rumors that say the student who brought a gun to Maricopa Wells Middle School April 13 will not be suspended or expelled.

“We will follow district policy regarding any infraction involving a weapon of any type,” she said at a later time.

Maricopa Unified School District Superintendent Dr. John Flores agreed stating that there is a “no tolerance policy” for this type of behavior.

Flores said that incidents like the one at Virginia Tech – where more than 30 people were killed by a gunman – this week “make us realize how vulnerable we can be.”

He said the district can’t downplay the seriousness of weapons on campus, whether the gun is loaded or not.

He said that district disciplinary actions are guided by the Federal Safe Schools Act. The purpose of the act is to set a national framework for education that says schools will offer a disciplined environment conducive to learning, by ensuring that all schools are safe and free of violence.

Gang Issues

MUSD schools are getting concerned that incidents like the one that occurred last Friday may be gang related.

Recent spray paint vandalism – known as tagging – found at Pacana Park and around the city have led police to believe there is a possibility of gang activity in the community. They said that they don’t know if it is real gang activity or copycat work; however, either one can pose a risk to the community (see related story).

Flores said the presence of gangs was here before the incorporation of the city and that the population growth has only added to the problem.

He said the attraction to gangs for many youth has to do with something being absent in the family structure. He said gangs offer children with home problems a sense of belonging.

He said law enforcement agencies are coming together at the county and city levels as well as a gang task force from Tucson to work with the schools to deal with this problem.

With police and the district on the same page, Flores said they hope to minimize any risk of gang activity.

One of their goals will be to identify leaders of groups that exist or may be forming and keep them from organizing.

Flores said the only good gangs are on school sports teams.

Click here for more information about the Safe Schools Act.