NEWTON POLICE: NORTH STUDENT ASSAULTED TEACHER WHO SEIZED DRUGS

Newton - A Newton North High School student assaulted a teacher on
Friday when the educator tried to confiscate marijuana the teen
brought to school in a backpack, police said.

That 16-year-old Newton resident, who police did not name because of
his age, was later arrested and charged with assault and battery, as
well as possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, police said.

"I'm sure this kid will be facing some consequences, both inside of
the school and outside of the school," said Interim Superintendent
James Marini, who said he expects the student will be suspended.

Newton Police spokesman Lt. Bruce Apotheker said a teacher at North
entered a boys bathroom and saw two students acting suspiciously
around 12:30 p.m. on Jan. 29. The teacher told police he saw the two
students standing together looking at something closely, said Apotheker.

The teacher separated the two students, and asked another staff
member to escort the 16-year-old to one of the building's
administrative offices.

Meanwhile, the teacher searched the 16-year-old's backpack, and found
a metal box containing five packages of marijuana of different sizes,
Apotheker said.

But the 16-year-old returned to the teacher searching his backpack,
and grabbed the teacher's hand as the teen tried to take the metal
box back, said Apotheker. During the incident, another staff member
called 911, he said.

Apotheker said the teacher managed to keep the box, and wasn't
injured. Police arrived at the school, investigated the drugs found
in the backpack, and arrested the 16-year-old.

The other student in the bathroom didn't have any drugs, Apotheker said.

According to the school district's student handbook, a high school
student faces a mandatory five-day minimum suspension for striking a
teacher or possessing illegal drugs.

Possession of less than one ounce of marijuana is a civil offense in
Massachusetts, but Apotheker said possession with intent to
distribute remains a crime.

He said he didn't know how much marijuana was found, but said the
investigating officer determined that the drugs were going to be
distributed based on how they were packaged.

The TAB has contacted Newton North High School for comment.