Man creates ruckus in high school library

Topeka Capital-Journal, The, Dec 16, 1999 by Capital-Journal

LAWRENCE

From staff and wire reports

LAWRENCE --- In a continuing string of trouble at Lawrence schools, a man was arrested Wednesday for causing a disturbance in the Lawrence High School library --- a day after a junior high school girl was suspended when she threatened other students who wear expensive clothes.

The two occurrences follow earlier incidents of graffiti scrawled on restroom walls that warned of upcoming violence at the two high schools in Lawrence.

On Wednesday, 59-year-old Jay P. Gibson, of Lawrence, was arrested for disorderly conduct after he gained access to the library and caused a disturbance by cursing and yelling racial epithets, said Sgt. George Wheeler, of the Lawrence Police Department.

Gibson checked in at the school office, signed a guest register and was given a visitor's badge when he told school officials he had business with the librarian, said Julie Boyle, spokeswoman for Unified School District 497.

"It appeared to the office to be a legitimate request," Boyle said.

On Tuesday, a South Junior High School student was suspended when she threatened students who wear pricey, name-brand clothing.

"She looked at one student and said, 'I believe you're dead,' " said Principal Russell Blackbird.

Blackbird, who sent a note about the incident home to all parents, said police were called Tuesday after the ninth-grader told a group of four students that those wearing Abercrombie & Fitch clothing would die in conjunction with the millennium.

The girl was suspended for five days and could be expelled. An expulsion recommendation will be sent to the school staff, leading to a due-process hearing before district administrators, said Nettie Collins-Hart, assistant superintendent.

Police also were investigating graffiti found on restroom walls that made reference to the Columbine High School shootings in Littleton, Colo.

The statements at Lawrence High School and Free State High School didn't target individuals but said there would be violence at the schools Dec. 22, the last day of classes before the holiday break.