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Judge Says Natomas Student With Pellet Guns May Return To School

A Sacramento County Superior Court judge on Friday rejected an effort by the Natomas Unified School District to temporarily stop a student from going to back to class at Heron School in North Natomas, even though he twice brought airsoft pellet guns to campus and openly showed them to classmates. Those pellet guns resembled real handguns, according to district officials.

NUSD responded by expelling the student, but the Sacramento County Board of Education overturned that decision after an appeal hearing. Following the hearing NUSD officials filed in court for a temporary stay of the board's decision.

Judge Laurie Earl in his ruling said the district didn't provide enough evidence that allowing the student back on campus would pose a threat to public safety. Earl also agreed with the board's assessment that expulsion would deprive him of the ability to maintain social relationships and access to teachers who know him well. Some of those teachers have vouched for his character, the judge said.

Spokesman said in a written statement that SCOE is pleased with the judge's ruling. Tim Herrera also wrote that NUSD officials chose to ignore the rule of law, did not follow appropriate appeal process, and disrespected the student's family by violating privacy rights. The district, he said, "chose to misleadingly portray the fact of this case in an irresponsible attempt to incite fear and unrest in the community."

The student and his family are on vacation, according to Sacramento Bee report. It is unclear how soon he will return to the school, as the judge considers the bigger question whether to permanently to remove him from the school or not.


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