A 16-year-old Brooklyn boy kicked out of school for carrying a “dangerous” metal ruler – a required, school-issued tool – returns to class today.
“I was happy when I heard,” said Reginald McDonald, who was expelled last week from George Westinghouse HS in downtown Brooklyn.
“They were always picking on me. I hope they don’t try to suspend me again for something stupid,” he added.
Last week, The Post reported how the teen was expelled after a school security guard patted him down and found a ruler in his pocket.
The ruler, required for a technical class, was ruled a dangerous weapon by school officials.
The Board of Education “went overboard,” said his relieved but still angry mother, Denise McDonald. “They knew they had no case because they were in the wrong – that’s why they dropped the charges.”
Board of Ed officials postponed a hearing on the suspension and then a day later called to say all charges against the sophomore had been dropped, said Denise, an NYPD cop.
The suspension was particularly outrageous because the so-called “dangerous” ruler is routinely sold to students by the school, the mom said.
“How are you going to make money off an item and then turn around and when the child is carrying it call it a weapon?” she said.
Board of Ed spokewoman Margie Feinberg confirmed that Superintendent Ray Irizzary of the Brooklyn and Staten Island school district had reviewed the case, but declined to provide details of his decision.
“The superintendent investigated, and it was found the suspension was not warranted, and the charge has been dropped,” she said, adding that the student had been offered a transfer to another school.
“I’ve complained before, and nobody listened till I went to The Post,” Denise said.
“I feel sorry for other parents,” she added. “I feel like by my coming forward, other parents will come forward, and now the school will listen.”
McDonald said she’s still considering legal action against the Board of Ed.