SAD 31 board expels fifth-grader Boy brought handgun to Enfield Station school, faces felony counts

ENFIELD – The SAD 31 school board voted Wednesday night to expel from the school district for at least a year the 11-year-old boy who brought a handgun to the Enfield Station Elementary School two weeks ago.

School officials said they could not release the name of the fifth-grader, but his identity was revealed Tuesday by the courts. Justin Landry, 11, of Enfield was charged with two felony counts of reckless conduct with a firearm.

During an arraignment in 13th District Court in Lincoln on Tuesday, Landry, through his attorney, James C. Munch of Bangor, denied charges of reckless conduct in connection with the discharge of a firearm at the elementary school on March 21.

Judge Kevin Stitham released Landry to the custody of his parents with conditions. The boy previously was held at the Northern Maine Juvenile Correctional Facility in Charleston.

The school board’s action came after the panel met for more than three hours in executive sessions. In its motions, the board voted to expel the pupil because he brought a gun to school without the authorization of school officials, fired the gun in school and threatened another student. The one-year expulsion means the fifth-grader cannot apply to return to school until April 4, 2002. The pupil must come before the school board for its approval before he can return to school.

In one closed-door session, the board’s attorney, Eric Herlin of Portland, advised members about procedures.

The board’s action was consistent with the school district’s Weapons in Schools Policy, adopted five years ago. The policy says students found to have brought a firearm to school shall be expelled by the school board for a period of not less than one year.

The board adopted the policy to comply with the federal Gun-Free School Act of 1994. Without such a policy, the district risked losing federal funding.

The purpose of the policy is to promote a safe environment where students are free to learn and school personnel are free to work without the detrimental effects of weapons on discipline and the welfare of the school.