Wells Family Takes Teen’s Expulsion To State Officials

WELLS (AP) - The family of a high school junior in southern Minnesota who was expelled after a pocket knife was found in her locker will ask state officials to overturn her expulsion.

Seventeen-year-old Alyssa Drescher has been expelled for the rest of the school year by the United South Central school board in Wells. The district has a zero tolerance weapons policy that recommends three to five days suspension and possible expulsion. Drescher says she accidentally left the pocket knife in her purse after doing chores at her boyfriend's farm. The knife was discovered during an unannounced locker search.

Family attorney Chris Johnson says they will petition the state Department of Education, but he's doubtful a decision would be made before the school year ends.