image description
School officials and police are investigating a student who brought a pellet gun to Hoosac Valley High School.
Updated November 16, 2015 08:41PM

Hoosac Valley Student Found With BB Gun on Campus

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
Print Story | Email Story

CHESHIRE, Mass. — A middle school student is facing consequences after bringing what administrators are calling a bb gun to Hoosac Valley Middle and High school on Monday.

Hoosac Valley Principal Jeremiah Ames on Monday afternoon said a student reported to a faculty member at about 10:40 a.m. that another student had brought a weapon to school. All students and faculty involved were immediately met with, and the Cheshire Police were contacted.

Ames said it was determined that a student had brought air-powered pellet gun to school; the pistol was not loaded.

Superintendent Kristen Gordon on Monday night said the student had no plans to use the weapon or threaten anyone with it.

"There was no malice behind the student taking the bb gun to school," she said. "The student was a middle school student, and he simply didn't think about why he shouldn't have brought it. It was not loaded but there certainly will be severe consequences for bringing it to school."

The principal said the school was in "soft lockdown" for 12 minutes while administration and police scanned the building for other possible weapons.

"After consulting with district administration and law enforcement and determining that the school was secure, there was no reason to dismiss students early," Ames said.

Ames added that the student who brought the pellet guns was dismissed from school. The consequences have not yet been determined but expulsion has not been ruled out.

Gordon said the gun and the boy were held during the lockdown and everything went smoothly.

"Bravo to the student who told the faculty about the bb gun," Gordon said. "They got it immediately with no issues."

He declined provide the name of the student or provide further detail.

An "all call" was sent out to parents and guardians at the end of the school day explaining the incident and an emergency faculty meeting to brief employees was to be held after school.

Ames said the school district administration continues to investigate and communicate with the families involved.

Gordon added that the district attorney's office will send representatives to the middle school specifically to explain to students what is not appropriate to bring to school.

Updated to include comments by the superintendent at 8:41 p.m.


Tags: firearms,   HVHS,   

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Greylock Glen Outdoor Center 90% Complete

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
ADAMS, Mass. — The Greylock Glen Outdoor Center is about 90 percent finished with an anticipated completion date in August. 
 
Matthew Sturz of owner's project manager Colliers International updated the Selectmen on the project's progress via Zoom on Wednesday. 
 
"We'll work with the town to determine exactly the logistics of that," he said in response to questions about the opening. "I think that there's certainly interest in getting the facility open as soon as it can open. But we do need to conclude the construction activities ... it's not federally advisable to have construction activity going on with the public."
 
The completion will depend on getting a certificate of occupancy for the 10,000-square foot facility.
 
The  $8.3 million project is running eight months behind the expected schedule, Sturz said, largely because of permitting with the state Department of Environmental Protection that required an extensive environmental review of endangered species, working with National Grid to determine how solar will be integrated into the project, and the need for a water system for both potable water and fire suppression. 
 
"Transformers and all manner of electrical switchgear is being significantly impacted by supply chain issues throughout the construction industry," said Sturz. "So coordinating those items up front took a little bit longer than anticipated."
 
A 350,000-gallon water tank is being constructed on the grounds to provide water with completion expected by July or August. 
 
View Full Story

More Adams Stories