NEWARK, Del. – A Delaware first-grader, 6 years old, who wanted to eat lunch at school with his favorite camping utensil, a combination of folding fork, knife and spoon, now faces 45 days in the district’s alternative school for troublemakers.
The folding knife is banned as a dangerous instrument under the Christina School District’s zero-tolerance policy in the student code of conduct, and officials said they have to act regardless of his age or what he planned to do with the instrument.
Zachary is being homeschooled for now.
Zachary was ordered to spend 45 days at the Douglass School, an alternative school for children who violate the district’s code of conduct. Students there participate in behavior modification programs and receive counseling.
Schooley, a former Christina school board member: “If it were my child, I would do everything not to send my child there.”