Milton Boy Scout suspended after bringing scouting knife to school

A Milton Boy Scout is suspended after bringing his scouting knife to school and later showing it to his friends on the way home.

When Milton mom Ife Oshun was told her son would be suspended from the Charles Pierce Middle School for showing his scouting knife, she was shocked.

"One of the boys told their parents and their parents freaked out. The parents got no context, they got no information about why my son had a knife. He's a Boy Scout," said Oshun.

Oshun asked Boston 25 News reporter Crystal Haynes not to show her son or use his name. She says the eighth grader admitted to Pierce staff that he forgot to unpack the knife after a camping trip and had the knife at school, but left it in his backpack until he was off school grounds.

Oshun's son has been certified in the use of the 2-inch knife since he was 9 years old. It's considered a tool. Never used as a weapon.

In a statement, Milton schools says:

"It is the priority of the Milton Public Schools to maintain safe schools at all times.   Weapons are never permitted on school grounds, activities or events.   Due to the confidentiality rights of students,  we are unable to comment regarding specific student matters.  We continue to remain committed to our efforts to ensure the safety and physical and emotional well-being of our students and faculty."

Oshun also shared an audio clip she says is from her son's suspension where an administrator is heard saying the school's rules apply on campus and off, even on weekends.

"This is not about the suspension. It's about the idea that somehow a school has the right to say that they have jurisdiction over a student's activities outside of school grounds. Outside of school hours and outside of school events," said Oshun.

She says the school missed out on the opportunity to explain what she describes as 'scouting life' to parents, students and staff at Pierce.

"So that our community doesn't put scouts into the same bucket as people who intentionally leave their home to harm other people. You can't criminalize a Boy Scout," said Oshun.

Scout Leader Jim Soloman wrote a letter ahead of the suspension hearing saying they tell scouts to share their experiences to encourage others to join and that Oshun's son would never maliciously make a reckless decision about bringing a knife to school.

Cox Media Group