Las Vegas Mother Sues School District Over Son’s Expulsion for Water Gun Incident

LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas mother is suing the Clark County School District after her son was expelled for bringing a water gun to school.

Melisa Jenrett’s son, Melvin McDonald, was an eighth grader at Orr Middle School when he was expelled in September for having a water gun on campus. Jenrett says that her son was playing with the water gun during lunch when he was approached by a teacher and several students. The students told the teacher that Melvin had hit them with the water beads, and the teacher called the police.

The police did not press charges against Melvin, but the school district expelled him anyway. Jenrett says that the school district’s policy on discipline states that principals can use their discretion and expel students who exhibit dangerous behaviors, such as having weapons, in order to protect other students. However, Jenrett says that the same policy also exempts children such as her son who have a learning disability and are under an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) from being expelled.

Melvin has a learning disability and is under an IEP. Jenrett says that the school district did not take his disability into account when they made the decision to expel him. She also says that the school district did not follow its own policy on discipline, which states that principals must consider a student’s IEP before expelling them.

Jenrett is suing the school district for damages, including emotional distress and lost wages. She is also asking the court to reinstate her son in school.

The school district has declined to comment on the lawsuit.

Credits: 8 News Now