At least one of the students involved in an alcohol and drug-related incident where a partially loaded gun was found at Flathead High School on Jan. 29 is expected to go before the Kalispell School Board on Tuesday for possible expulsion.

Kalispell Schools Superintendent Mark Flatau could not give information about the specifics of the cases because of privacy issues, however he did say that an expulsion hearing would be held and that a hearing can only be held if the student involved is present.

That means the 16-year-old student who allegedly brought the gun to the school likely won’t go before the board, since he was still incarcerated in Missoula and being held on $35,000 bond for five misdemeanor charges as of Thursday.

Another 14-year-old student who allegedly was caught with felony-level illegal drugs is expected to go before the board, as he was released from detention. Marijuana is the only illegal drug that it is a misdemeanor to possess in Montana. Authorities have not said what drug the student allegedly possessed.

“We will take whatever steps necessary to ensure the safety and welfare of our student body and the safety of our school,” Flatau said. “We will follow school policy and state statute.”

The hearing will be closed to the public at the end of the board’s agenda.

According to School Resource Officer Cory Clarke, the students were detained after the 16-year-old was confronted for taking two lunch breaks.

The adult who confronted the boy noticed he smelled alcohol and the boy eventually was searched by school administrators.

A bottle of alcohol and a revolver were found in the back pack. Drug paraphernalia was also found on the boy.

The boy allegedly was a runaway and told Clarke he had stolen the gun so he could sell it and get money to flee to another state. Clarke was satisfied after the investigation that the student did not want to harm anyone.

The teen is charged with five misdemeanors: minor in possession of alcohol, possession of drug paraphernalia, unauthorized carry of a concealed weapon, unauthorized carry of a concealed weapon on school grounds, and theft.

The 16-year-old allegedly identified the 14-year-old during the incident when he was asked if he had been drinking with anyone.

A search of the younger student allegedly revealed the drugs.

Reporter Megan Strickland can be reached at 758-4459 or mstrickland@dailyinterlake.com.