Fake gun attack leads to suspensions

During the last night of a weeklong trip to Fall Creek Falls, staff members convinced 69 sixth-grade students from Scales Elementary School that there was a gunman on the loose.

The students were told to lie on the floor or hide underneath tables and stay quiet. After the lights went out, some of the children began to cry.

A teacher, disguised in a hooded sweatshirt, even pulled on locked doors and pretended to be a suspicious subject.

Teacher Quentin Mastin and assistant principal Don Bartch were suspended for unprofessional conduct and neglect of duty because of the staged attack, Director of Schools Marilyn Mathis announced Monday.

The suspension is without pay and lasts until the end of the school year June 1, The Daily News Journal reported.

?This was not a good experience,? said Alisha Graves, whose son went on the trip. ?Those kids were crying and they were terrified.?

Some parents said they were upset by the staff?s poor judgment in light of the April 16 shootings at Virginia Tech that left 33 students and professors dead, including the gunman.

Bartch, who was present, said the scenario was intended as a learning experience and only lasted five minutes.

?We got together and discussed what we would have done in a real situation,? he said.

A news release issued by the school district said the educators were suspended for ?unprofessional conduct and neglect of duty.?