Gun discovery leads to teacher's resignation

Thursday, March 2nd 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

McALESTER, Okla. (AP) -- A McAlester teacher resigned Thursday during an ongoing investigation into the discovery of a gun allegedly stolen from his truck while it was parked on school grounds.

Rick Peters, 45, had been suspended since Friday. School and police officials said Peters admitted having the gun in his vehicle while it was on school property.

Another teacher at the district's alternative school found the .22-caliber semiautomatic pistol and an ammunition clip under the steps of a school building Feb. 24. Police said the gun apparently had been stolen from Peters' unlocked car.

"It's a tragic situation because Mr. Peters is an excellent --no, I'd say an outstanding teacher -- who dedicated himself to that program. He's trying to do the right thing," Superintendent Lucy Smith said of Peters' resignation.

Clyde Heathcock, director of the district's new campus police department, forwarded his report on the investigation to Pittsburg County prosecutors for consideration of charges.

Heathcock said it is believed someone took the gun from behind the Key Academy teacher's pickup seat sometime after 8 a.m. The gun was found around 11:15 a.m. when a teacher on break happened to notice it.

"He's not even 100 percent sure it was even taken that day," said Heathcock, who was continuing to investigate the burglary. "It could have been taken some other time."

It is a felony to have a gun on campus, and school policy requires a one-year suspension for students who are caught with firearms.

Peters taught high school science at Key Academy, which serves grades 4 through 12. He began teaching in the district in 1994.

Smith said Peters was a popular teacher and his resignation is "a loss for our school."

A group of students began circulating a petition this week in an effort to have Peters reinstated. "Mr. Peters is taking responsibility for what happened," Smith said. "He's an excellent role model."