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Furious parents calling for resignation of Medford superintendent

MEDFORD, Mass. — A principal in Medford has been put on paid leave as the city launches an investigation into a loaded gun magazine that was found at the middle school in December and went unreported for nearly two months.

Furious parents said that’s not enough, and they’re calling for the superintendent to resign for keeping everyone in the dark.

MORE: Medford principal on leave after gun magazine found at school went unreported

“I am here tonight for one reason and one reason only,” one resident said. “To formally request the resignation of every person who knew of the gun clip at McGlynn in December and failed to report it to the police.”

At a packed school committee meeting Thursday night, it was also learned Medford schools will be closed Monday as staff and officials discuss what they’re going to do next regarding school safety concerns.

Another revelation was made during the meeting. The Medford police chief confirmed the department is investigating reports that two fifth graders said they were going to shoot up McGlynn Middle School.

The same school where the magazine was found in December and wasn’t reported by the superintendent and principal for seven weeks.

The police chief said he learned about the incident Friday, but officials have not said if the two incidents are connected.

MORE: 25 Investigates: Gun magazine found in Medford school went unreported

Hours before the school committee meeting, Medford Mayor Stephanie Burke announced there would be an independent investigation into the unreported gun magazine, which will be led by former state Attorney General Martha Coakley.

A city councilor also called for both Principal Jake Edward and Superintendent Roy Belson to lose their jobs.

“I want them terminated, as does the rest of the community,” Medford City Councilor Breanna Lungo-Koehn said.

Belson publicly accepted responsibility for the fallout.

“I’m telling you outright, I made a mistake in judgment,” Belson said. “I thought I was doing the right thing because I didn’t want to raise anxiety. But I did raise anxiety. But I’ve made a mistake.”

Burke pledged to take action and said she would meet privately with teachers next week. She will review policy for employees reporting weapons, and the School Committee will review rental agreements for organizations using school facilities.

As the investigation continues, police say they are working backward to fill in the gaps as to what happened and how the magazine made it into the auditorium.