Two students were removed from the Seward Public Schools on Monday, Feb. 13, after each was found allegedly carrying a gun.
     According to a Seward Police Department spokesperson, a middle school student alerted the school administration that another student had a gun. The gun, which turned out to be a pellet gun or BB gun, was confiscated by an administrator.
     An administrator from the school contacted the Seward Police Department at 8:56 a.m., and the male seventh-grade student was transported to the Seward Police Department.
     The student who was caught with the gun at the Seward Middle School then told police that another student at Seward High School was also in possession of a pellet gun or BB gun.
     The gun was removed from the high school student's backpack, and the 14-year old male student was transported to the Seward Police Department by a police officer.
     According to the Seward Public Schools student handbook, possession of a gun of any type on school grounds will lead to expulsion from school.
     The students could also be facing criminal charges, according to the police spokesperson.
     Dr. Marlene Uhing, Seward School District superintendent, said Feb. 15 that pellet guns are not considered firearms.
     Seward Police Chief Alan Baldwin disagreed.
     "It (a pellet gun) is considered a firearm. It shoots a projectile," he said.
     "We continue to take means to provide a safe environment," Uhing said, adding that there were no threats to students or faculty.
     The Seward County Attorney's office could not be reached for comment.
     Uhing said the district would follow up with education for parents and students, focusing on what is and is not appropriate for a school situation.
     In instances like this, school personnel take immediate action based on the situation, she said. After making sure students and faculty were safe Feb. 13, school officials notified law enforcement.
     "We don't disregard anything where safety is concerned," Uhing said.
     The district has safety plans and crisis response plans in place for a variety of incidents, ranging from firearms in the schools to medical emergencies. Uhing said faculty discuss different threats and practice their responses.
     Uhing said she cannot comment on the disciplinary action taken, but said the district is following its policies.
     A similar incident happened at Fairbury Public Schools on Friday, Feb. 3, where an 11-year-old student flashed a pellet gun after being teased by other students.
     A fatal shooting in Longwood, Fla., happened in January when a 15-year-old student was killed by police after he confronted them with a pellet gun that resembled a 9mm handgun.