News Photo by Reagan Voetberg Teacher Kyle Kieliszewski spoke during public comment about the BB gun incident that occurred on Thursday, the last day of school at Thunder Bay Junior High.

ALPENA — The Alpena Public Schools board of education held a special meeting Monday to vote on an asphalt crushing bid, but a recent incident at Thunder Bay Junior High became the focal point of the meeting.

On Thursday, a student brought a BB gun in their backpack to TBJH, Superintendent Dave Rabbideau told The News on Thursday.

Another student reported seeing the BB gun in the student’s backpack. The backpack was searched by staff and it was found that the BB gun had no CO2 cartridge or BB pellets in it, Rabbideau said. The school’s resource officer was involved in the whole process.

The student said that they had forgotten the BB gun was in there.

There was never any threat to others, Rabbideau said on Thursday.

During public comment on Monday, the teacher who found the BB gun, Art Teacher Kyle Kieliszewski, spoke to those concerned about the situation.

“I understand the concerns being expressed over the nature of the BB pistol incident,” he said. “I assure you everything that I did in the classroom that day was with those very same concerns at the forefront of my mind. As a result, I rapidly did what I could to ensure the safety of the children while simultaneously trying to prevent and limit unnecessary panic and trauma to the kids.”

He continued, “I make this observation about children’s capabilities and it is through their mistakes that they learn and grow and prosper. I am thus asking the public to please consider the possible ramifications to the children that are being publicly discussed.”

Board member Monica Dziesinski thanked Kielizewski later in the meeting for handling the situation well.

“I do think we need to possibly communicate or be a little more transparent when stuff like this happens,” she said.

Rabbideau noted that the questions that feel like they go unanswered are unfortunately the product of these kinds of situations.

“There’s a need to know basis, and, you know, if you don’t get every question you have answered it feels like we’re covering things up,” Rabbideau said. “I don’t make these decisions by myself. I have an entire administrative team that’s working with me on it.”

A recent situation that occurred at Alpena High School was also discussed. Rabbideau said that the police tracked that person immediately and the school did not play much of a role in it.

IN OTHER BUSINESS

The Alpena Public Schools Board of Education voted unanimously to approve the asphalt crushing project bid for $73,500.

The asphalt left over from bond work will be crushed and rolled out in the lots at the central office and the transportation center.

Using the asphalt in this way, while not as nice as a paved parking lot, is a step up from the current dirt lots at both locations.

Reagan Voetberg can be reached at 989-358-5683 or rvoetberg@TheAlpenaNews.com.