Zero-Tolerance: School’s Punishment Stuns 17-Year-Old Girl and Her Parents After She Accidentally Brought Pocket Knife to School

A Minnesota high school has expelled a student for the remainder of the year after school officials discovered a pocket knife in her purse earlier this month.

Alyssa Drescher, 17, says that she was subject to a random search ten days ago after a drug dog mistook her perfume for a hit at United South Central High School.

“They smelled perfume, and they had to check my purse,” she told WCCO-TV.

Alyssa Drescher, 17, cried Thursday night when school officials expelled her for the remainder of the school year. (Image source: Facebook)

When authorities looked through her purse they discovered a pocket knife the junior says she had used on her boyfriend's farm for chores, but simply forgotten to remove.

“It was a mistake,” she said. “Everyone makes mistakes.”

Her explanation didn't seem to matter Thursday night.

School officials contended their zero tolerance policy didn't leave them any choice but to issue a 12-month expulsion.

At the school board meeting, the 17-year-old cried when officials announced her punishment, WCCO reported.

“I don’t want to get expelled. I’m a good kid,” she said. “I just thought it was too harsh of punishment.”

[sharequote align="center"]“I don’t want to get expelled. I’m a good kid."[/sharequote]

Now, the community is questioning the school district's zero tolerance policy. Her father says he will challenge the policy.

“Definitely going to fight it,” Rick Drescher told WCCO. “Now, it’s not just about Alyssa, it’s about the other kids.”

Supporters of Drescher have created a Facebook page. At the time of publication, it had amassed over 2,500 "likes."

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