ESCANABA — During a special meeting Tuesday, the Escanaba School Board took disciplinary action against a student who threatened to bring a gun to the Escanaba Junior High School last month.

Following a closed session, board members decided to expel the 14-year-old teen effective immediately. Trustee Robert LaFave was absent from Tuesday’s meeting.

“We had a very good discussion on a tough topic,” said Board President Dan Flynn during the open session of the meeting. “We all need to move forward and help him.”

Superintendent Coby Fletcher explained that during the closed session, board members had the opportunity to talk with the junior high principal and the parents of the student. The board then deliberated separately to make its final decision.

“It’s a very difficult situation,” said Trustee Cathy Wilson, adding the decision took into consideration the safety and responsibility of the other students in the district.

The student admitted in court to making the threat on Tuesday, March 20, when he was being bullied by other students at the school.

The eighth grader was immediately removed from the school and placed in Bay Pines Detention Center in Escanaba after police had determined he made a threat to another male student about bringing a gun to school. The Delta County Prosecutor’s Office reviewed the case, and the minor was charged with one count of threat or false report of terrorism. The felony is punishable by up to 20 years in prison for an adult.

In exchange for the teen pleading guilty to one count of disturbing the peace, Chief Assistant Prosecutor Jessica Pelto agreed to dismiss the 20-year felony. Disturbing the peace is a 90-day misdemeanor for an adult.

On April 6, the student was sentenced in Delta County Probate Court, which serves as the family division of circuit court. He was ordered to continue to wear a tether and was placed on probation for six months. He was also ordered to write a letter of apology to the school and must perform 20 hours of community service.

The family can petition the district 160 days after the expulsion to request the teen be reinstated into the school, according to school law. The board would then have to meet prior to 180 days after the expulsion to decide whether or not to allow the student to return to the district, explained Fletcher.