Medford superintendent retiring early after mishandling discovery of gun magazine

MEDFORD, Mass. -- Medford Superintendent Roy Belson will retire April 30, two months earlier than planned after a loaded gun magazine was found in the school, and went unreported for weeks.

Boston 25 News Investigative Reporter Eric Rasmussen first broke the story on Feb. 20.

Belson has come under fire for not reporting that a loaded gun magazine was found in McGlynn Middle School's auditorium in late December.

Belson was originally set to retire in June after nearly 50 years with the school system.

"We'll move forward and in time everything will heal. it's important we don't dwell on the negative and try to focus on the positive," he told Boston 25 News.

Principal Jake Edwards was placed on administrative leave last week after it was learned that he threw out the gun magazine when a janitor left it in his office.

At Tuesday's committee meeting, it was learned that another school administrator -- the elementary principal at McGlynn -- also learned about the gun magazine from the janitor, but did not report it because Belson already had been alerted.

Medford schools were closed on Monday so staff could go over security policies and conduct and extra sweep of the building.

MORE: Medford students return to class with increased police presence

Students returned to class Tuesday with a stepped-up police presence.

Belson will stay on after April 30 as a consultant to help with budgeting and to ease the new superintendent's transition.

“We considered the multiple years of service this superintendent has provided to the community. He's a leader for the community. He's built new schools for the community. He's enhanced so many opportunities in our school system,” Mayor Stephanie Burke said.

At Tuesday's meeting, the School Committee also approved a tougher reporting policy for dangerous materials found on school grounds.

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