Reinstatement Urged for Student With Air Gun
VENTURA
A panel of Ventura educators has recommended that a 17-year-old Foothill Technology High School student be allowed to return to school after being suspended recently for bringing a plastic air gun to campus, officials said Thursday.
Following a hearing earlier this week, the three-person panel forwarded its findings Wednesday to the Ventura Unified School District board, which must decide by April 15 whether to accept the recommendation for Paul Houchin. The teenager was suspended March 10.
Houchin, a junior honor student, had planned to use the weapon as part of an anti-drug video he was going to film after school for a class project.
School officials originally recommended suspending Houchin for two semesters. If the board agrees with the panel’s recommendation, Houchin can return to school immediately. He would be required to perform 40 hours of community service.
In the meantime, Houchin is being tutored at home by a teacher paid by the district, officials said.
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