BOSTON — A Medford principal is on paid administrative leave after a loaded gun magazine was found at a local middle school, and parents are furious after learning about a police investigation into a shooting threat at the same school.
Medford’s mayor confirmed McGlynn Middle School Principal Jake Edwards was placed on paid administrative leave Thursday morning as police and ATF officials were sweeping all the city’s schools.
"I'm putting him on administrative leave for the lack of action after, after knowing about a clip, knowing that a clip somehow disappeared and no action was taken subsequent to that. That is under his job description to maintain safety in that building," said Mayor Stephanie Burke.
At a School Committee meeting Thursday, the police chief confirmed that officers are also investigating reports that two fifth grade students threatened to shoot up the same school.
BREAKING: Medford Public Schools cancels class on Monday to give staff and administrators more time to discuss next steps related to safety and security concerns. @boston25
— Jacob Long (@JacobLongSTL) February 23, 2018
It was also announced that Medford Public Schools will be closed on Monday while staff and administrators discuss the next steps related to safety and security.
Many parents at the meeting said putting the McGlynn principal on paid leave isn’t enough and that the superintendent needs to go too
“I am here tonight for one reason and one reason only. To formally request the resignation of every person who knew of the gun clip at McGlynn in December and failed to report it to police,” one resident said.
There were 17 groups of officers taking dogs through the four elementary schools, two middle and one high school this week.
“Why isn’t he being fired?”
— Jason Law (@JasonLawNews) February 22, 2018
Parents shouting questions at Medford mayor regarding Superintendent Roy Belson, who failed to alert the city and police department after gun clip was found in middle school. @boston25 pic.twitter.com/3wz3hstjW2
Medford City Councilor Breanna Lungo-Koehn wants Principal Edwards and Superintendent Belson fired.
"I want them terminated as does the rest of the community," said Lungo-Koehn.
Medford Mayor Burke says McGlynn Middle Principal Jake Edwards is on paid administrative leave after gun clip was found in December and went unreported for weeks. @boston25 pic.twitter.com/x0F34Lm7Zm
— Jason Law (@JasonLawNews) February 22, 2018
It was also announced Thursday night that Medford schools has enlisted former Mass. Attorney General Martha Coakley to lead an independent investigation into the misreporting. They will begin the investigation Friday.
RIGHT NOW: A packed house in Medford tonight where school committee is holding emergency meeting over loaded gun magazine found in school that went unreported for seven weeks. @boston25 pic.twitter.com/Sb3UrbPcSc
— Jacob Long (@JacobLongSTL) February 22, 2018
First big uproar in Medford is over Superintendent Belson. Crowd cheers, yells for him to be removed from position and the meeting. They don’t think public confidence will be restored with him in the picture. @boston25
— Jacob Long (@JacobLongSTL) February 22, 2018
Impassioned and furious parents confronting Medford school committee over loaded magazine that wasn’t reported. This mom wants to know where the magazine’s gun is? @boston25 pic.twitter.com/uiINW4XZls
— Jacob Long (@JacobLongSTL) February 22, 2018
A middle school teacher said there was a recent meeting where the superintendent discussed being more transparent, but did not disclose the information on the gun magazine that was found.
Wow. A McGlynn middle school teacher says the Superintendent, knowing about the loaded gun magazine found in December, did not disclose it to a group of 50 teachers during a recent meeting with them...... about being more transparent. @boston25
— Jacob Long (@JacobLongSTL) February 22, 2018
As for the reported threat, police said they do not believe it was credible and they plan to interview the students involved and their parents.
MORE: 25 Investigates: Gun magazine found in Medford school went unreported
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