Student Expelled Over Forgotten Pocket Knife

WELLS (AP) - Support seems to be growing for a high school honors student in southern Minnesota who was expelled after a pocket knife was found in her locker.

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.

A Facebook page in support of Drescher is growing with about 4,000 likes. About 50 people held a protest outside the school recently.

Drescher is worried about how the expulsion will affect her college plans.