Ammunition incident sparks ire in Medford
Principal on paid leave
Angry parents lashed out at Medford school officials last night following the announcement a loaded magazine was discovered at a middle school nearly two months ago — a shocking find that was not immediately reported — and has gone missing.
Medford Mayor Stephanie M. Burke blasted her school district’s response and placed McGlynn Middle School’s Principal Jake Edwards on paid administrative leave after a “magazine clip loaded with at least one bullet” was discovered at the school’s auditorium Dec. 29.
But Burke was unaware of the incident until Feb. 16. Edwards could not be reached yesterday.
At a school committee meeting last night in a packed auditorium at Medford High School, Burke and Medford police Chief Leo Sacco said after all district schools were thoroughly searched by officers and K-9, the magazine has not turned up.
Parents at the meeting demanded answers while many directed their ire toward district Superintendent Roy E. Belson.
“Shame on you Mr. Belson for being so cavalier with our children’s safety,” said Angela Moore, who has two children in the district. She later called news of the missing handgun magazine “just ludicrous.”
Burke told parents at the meeting: “Many people knew about the situation, it appears. And nobody did anything.”
Earlier yesterday, Burke said at a press conference the lack of communication between the school system, her office and police “put our entire community at grave risk.” Burke said she made statements out of “profound disappointment.”
“I am both professionally and personally astounded that I was not informed immediately of the incident,” she said. “I assure you a complete and expedited police investigation is ongoing and the results will be communicated as soon as the findings are received.”
Former Attorney General Martha Coakley, now working as a private attorney, will lead an independent investigation, Burke said.
Lauren Feltch, a spokeswoman for Burke, said a custodian found the magazine Dec. 29 and has said he placed it in Principal Edwards’ office. It is unknown what happened to the gun magazine after that, she said.
Some parents last night called for disciplinary action against Belson.
School Committee member Paulette Van der Kloot told the audience: “I understand how upset you all are because I have felt the same level of anger . ... He is a good man who made a mistake.”