Sanchez resigns from Park Hill board

A simple mistake. That's what long-time Park Hill school board member Fred Sanchez says caused him to wear a concealed weapon to last week's regular board meeting. While licensed to do so in the state of Missouri, Park Hill School District policy says firearms are not permitted on school grounds. Sanchez resigned on his own accord, saying he believes he should be held to the same standard he has held students to in his many years as a board member which is a policy of zero tolerance.

"I do not have to do this," Sanchez said as he addressed the board Tuesday evening. "The integrity of the policy means the protection of the district cannot be undermined if everyone under it lives the same way."

In a call with The Citizen and once again at Tuesday's meeting, Sanchez said he arrived late to last week's meeting after being under the weather all day. He went on to say following the conclusion of the public meeting when the board was preparing to go into closed session, a fellow board member pointed out to Sanchez that he had been carrying a concealed firearm, which he had forgotten to remove in his hurry to make it to the meeting.

"It took me aback, almost like being in a near car crash, because I immediately realized the situation," Sanchez said to board members.

While Sanchez removed the firearm from the building and placed it in his car, it still did not meet the criteria of moving the gun off district grounds. After seeking clarification with the Platte County Prosecutor's office, district officials, and personal counsel, it was concluded that Sanchez broke no laws. Though, with the lingering realization he had made a serious oversight and mistake, Sanchez made the decision to resign.

"I've had calls and emails telling me not to do this (resign)," Sanchez said. "After spiritual prayer, what came to mind were the heart-wrenching experiences over the years of children sitting right here, good kids being stupid one day, but because of my votes I changed their lives forever. What is the difference? How can I conduct myself as a board member and be guilty of breaking policy? I cannot."

Sanchez was referring to his participation in decisions made on student disciplinary actions where a zero tolerance policy applied and how it would be difficult not to apply the same accountability to himself in a similar circumstance.

"I cannot in good conscience put myself above the same consequences," Sanchez said. "I'm guilty of breaking policy in place to protect student safety and behavior."

Another factor in Sanchez's decision was the progress he said the school district is making and the important issues it currently faces.

"I'm removing myself as a distraction and target, which the district would be ill-served by."

In Sanchez's closing remarks, he asked the board to revisit the zero tolerance policy because of the potential effect it has had on so many children's lives resulting from one simple mistake, sometimes having been no fault of their own. Following Sanchez's remarks, board members unanimously accepted his resignation. There was then brief discussion on zero tolerance as well as whether there was a policy precedent for how to deal with the situation had Sanchez not chosen to resign. There was not and Superintendent Scott Springston said it would be handled on a case by case bases.