Broward Schools To Relax Punishment For Toy Guns On Campus

BROWARD COUNTY (CBS4) - The Broward County School District gave tentative approval Tuesday to relaxing the punishment for elementary school students who bring toy weapons onto school grounds.

Board Members are considering the change after a high profile case involving an 8 year old boy who brought a toy gun to school.

Samuel Burgos was expelled from Pembroke Pines Charter Elementary School in November 2009 after bringing a toy gun to school. He returned to school in November 2010 after being home-schooled by his mother for a year.

His father, Magdiel, said the school board made the right decision.

"It was rough," Magdiel told CBS 4's Carey Codd. "A 7 year old child kicked out school for a toy gun and you're gonna destroy his life? They have to make the change."

Samuel has been forced to repeat the 2nd grade.

School Board Member Robin Bartleman pushed for a plan that would ease the punishment on elementary school students like Samuel under certain circumstances.

If the proposed policy passes, elementary school students who bring a toy gun to school would still be expelled but they would be able to return after 90 days if they meet certain conditions, through what is known as a "Workback Program."

"What the board is looking for is common sense consequences," Bartleman said. "In the future we really need to look at dealing with these cases on an individual case-by-case basis and not paint it with one broad brush."

Bartleman said if the policy is approved it would save a student like Samuel from such harsh punishment.

"That student wouldn't have sat out of school for 10 months," she said.

Kristine Logvin also fought for change. Her son Dane was also expelled for a year after bringing a toy gun to his school -- Silver Trail Middle School. He returned to school last month.

Kristine understands the need to punish kids who bring real guns to school and says the school board made a wise decision.

"It's what we worked for," Logvin said. "I would like to see it go a little bit farther than an expulsion and a workback program, but it's a start."

Logvin said her son had never been in trouble before and is an excellent student. He brought the toy to school to show a friend who was thinking about buying the same toy gun.

"The punishment didn't fit the crime," Logvin said. "What some students are doing is making a 12 year old mistake. Gonna show a friend a toy, no intent to hurt anybody and they get the book thrown at them."

The next step is for the Broward School Board to give final approval on the change and that could happen in the next few weeks. If approved, the change would go into effect for the 2011-2012 school year.