HMA teacher resigns after bringing weapon to school

An instructor at Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham has resigned after bringing a weapon to the school.

The instructor brought the weapon, a World War II relic, to class April 2 as a prop for a lesson about the conflict, William Wiebking, director of communications at Hargrave, said Friday. The school declined to identify the instructor.

The weapon was not loaded and was brought to the campus with no malicious intent, Wiebking said. A student informed Hargrave officials after the class ended, he said.

"He was in violation of policy," Wiebking said. "He offered his resignation, and it was accepted."

Students and staff are forbidden from bringing weapons to the school. The academy has weapons for its rifle team and a shooting range, but the firearms are secured, and special staff must be present for them to be used, Wiebking said.

"School safety is extremely important to us," Wheeler Baker, a retired U.S. Marine colonel and president of Hargrave, said in a prepared statement. "A weapon has no place in the classroom."

The instructor's actions were not illegal and no arrest was made.

By John Crane
jcrane@registerbee.com
Danville Register & Bee
April 10, 2009