Burlington Police, Schools Respond After Knife Found In Middle School

BURLINGTON, MA — Burlington Police were scheduled to be back at Burlington's Marshall Simonds Middle School on Wednesday morning after officials said a student found a knife in the school the previous day.

Officials said on Tuesday that police and school staff worked alongside eachother to respond to this incident. They said a student found to have brought the knife into the school will now face discipline.

Officials said police still also planned to maintain a visible presence on Wednesday morning out of an "abundance of caution."

Officials responded shortly before 9 a.m. at the Simonds School on Tuesday, according to an announcement from Police Chief Thomas Browne and Burlington Schools Superintendent Eric Conti, after a student found a kitchen paring knife on school grounds.

That student told a teacher about the knife, with an assistant principal soon taking the knife, Browne and Conti said. Officials said a subsequent investigation identified a student who brought the knife into school.

School staff spoke with the student, Browne and Conti said. The student’s family was also contacted.

Officials said the student will face discipline under the Simonds School’s policies, procedures and code of conduct. The student won’t face charges due to their age.

Browne and Conti said this week that police “will continue to work with school officials to ensure the safety of all students and staff.”

“Burlington Public School District puts student safety first,” Conti said. “We work closely with the Burlington Police Department to ensure that all situations are addressed in the best interest of all students.”

Browne noted the efforts of the Simonds School’s school resource officer — Vito Costa — who he said worked with school personnel “to ensure this incident was brought to a swift and safe conclusion.”

“Our officers will continue to work closely with Burlington Public Schools to ensure this situation is addressed, and that all students are aware of the seriousness with which we take weapons being brought to school,” Browne said.