Minn. teen expelled after pocket knife found in locker

WELLS, Minn. - A Minnesota teen was expelled from her high school for the remainder of the school year for having a pocket knife in her locker, and her community is outraged, reports CBS Minnesota.

Alyssa Drescher, 17, cried Thursday night when the school board in Wells, Minn., announced its unanimous decision to expel her, according to the station.

"I don't want to get expelled. I'm a good kid," Drescher said. "I just thought it was too harsh of punishment."

The junior at United South Central high school was facing a bright future when a random drug search by police dogs earlier this month detected something in Drescher's locker.

"They smelled perfume, and they had to check my purse and they found my pocket knife," she said.

Drescher says she had forgotten about the knife after using it on her boyfriend's farm for chores, reports the station.

"It was a mistake," she said. "Everyone makes mistakes."

Her expulsion has captured the attention of her small community. What started as a three-day suspension from the principal led to a call from the superintendent and a 12-month expulsion, reports the station.

At a school board meeting Thursday night in Wells, members voted instead to keep Alyssa from school for the rest of the year.

The superintendent says the school district's zero tolerance policy left them no choice.

Under school rules, if Drescher told police about the knife before it was found, she wouldn't be expelled. Her family has a lawyer and will appeal the district's decision, according to the station.

A Facebook page supporting Drescher has reportedly gained more than 1,700 followers.

The superintendent did not return calls for comment and neither did the school board members.