School administrators say Dereian confessed to bringing a BB gun to school, though they acknowledge the boy never threatened anyone, that police were not called, and that no one actually saw the boy in possession of such an object.
Dereian already has served a suspension of 15 school days. The district now is seeking to expel him for two semesters, although he could be eligible for reinstatement after one semester. That means he would be out for at least the rest of this school year but could return as early as summer school, said Dylan Pauly, the school district attorney prosecuting the case.
Monday’s court-like proceeding lasted more than four hours and included sworn testimony by several parties. Hamdy Ezalarab, the independent hearing examiner who presided, said he will issue a written ruling within five days of receiving transcripts from the hearing.