The North Merrick school board attempted to ease parents' concerns at an emergency meeting Monday, one week after a student brought a pellet gun to school.

Parents were furious with the school district over a perceived lack of communication about the incident. On Monday, October 22, a fifth-grade student brought a toy gun to his elementary school and threatened other children with it. The school did not inform either the police department or parents until the next day.

One parent complained at the meeting that a school psychiatrist discussed the matter in her first-grade child's classroom, distributing more information than was divulged to parents.

Nassau Police Inspector John Capece also attended the meeting. Initially, the department complained the school was not cooperating with the investigation. Capece said the district was cooperating at this time.

The fifth-grade student was charged with a violation and will appear in family court.

Related Information:Fifth-graderbrings pellet gun to N. Merrick school