‘We are in complicated times’: District 15 looking at next steps after gun found at Plum Grove Middle School

A day after a gun was discovered in a student’s backpack at Plum Grove Middle School in Rolling Meadows, the Palatine Township Elementary District 15 school board outlined the district’s next steps at Wednesday’s school board meeting.

Rolling Meadows police said Wednesday the student has been charged with several felony offenses related to possessing a firearm on school grounds and will be petitioned into juvenile court.

School board President Samantha Bray Ader explained how the gun was found after school hours by an assistant principal and school resource officer. She said school staff was prompted to “engage the student in a separate and unrelated disciplinary matter” at approximately 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, leading to a search of the student's belongings by a school administrator.

The firearm was discovered during the search, and the school resource officer was called immediately. Rolling Meadows police conducted a thorough search but found no other weapons, and no threats were made. The student was taken into police custody.

A lockdown wasn't called because the weapon was immediately confiscated and the episode occurred after school hours.

The student will not attend school during the ongoing police investigation, she said. Potential disciplinary actions could include expulsion for up to two years, in line with district weapons policy.

The district's safety committee, which includes administrators and police and fire officials, will examine the response at a Sept. 19 meeting.

“The group will review our response protocols and determine what adjustments should be made for any future situation involving a weapon at school,” she said.

School officials are asking the community to avoid spreading rumors on social media. Parents and guardians are encouraged to reach out directly to Principal Faith Rivera.

“While this does not discount the seriousness of this incident, it is important to reiterate that no threats were made and no injuries occurred,” Ader said.

“As a district, we remain committed to creating safe, welcoming schools for every child every day and continuously improving where needed,” she added, “We are in complicated times, and this incident, the news of today's shooting (in Utah) and the recent church shooting in Minnesota only reemphasize the importance of this work together to create a safe community for each other and for our children.”