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A student from the Jamesville-DeWitt School District in DeWitt will not return to school for the remainder of the year after being accused of violence. The decision was announced by Superintendent Peter Smith during a school board meeting on Monday (March 3). The student allegedly placed their hands on a teacher aide's neck, though the incident was quickly resolved without intervention from staff nearby.
The situation has raised concerns among parents and community members, who attended the meeting in large numbers to demand transparency and action. According to CNY Central, Superintendent Smith stated, "The family has allowed us to share with the district that their child will not come back to school this year." However, he did not provide further details.
The incident follows previous threats made by the student, including death threats against teachers, as reported by Syracuse.com. These threats were reportedly downplayed by the district, leading to frustration among parents. Marnie Eisenstadt of Syracuse.com noted that more than 400 people attended the meeting, both in person and online, to express their concerns.
Parents and social workers emphasized the importance of providing the student with appropriate support, highlighting the need for mental health resources. Peter Ashworth, a parent and social worker, expressed hope that the board would involve mental health professionals in addressing the situation.
While the student will not return this academic year, discussions about their potential return next year are ongoing. The community continues to call for measures to ensure the safety of students and staff.