By DEB GRUVER

Staff writer

A Hillsboro Middle/High School teacher who taught math and band is on paid administrative leave for the rest of the school year after he reportedly made a comment to students that included a reference to a gun.

The district’s school board voted 6-0 March 13 to place Bruce Major on paid leave.

An anonymous source said Major had made a comment March 9 in front of students to the effect of “Days like this, I wish I could bring a gun to school.”

The source expressed concern that the district did not inform parents about Major’s leave.

No one from the district has confirmed or denied what Major was alleged to have said.

“I cannot tell you the specifics that lead to Mr. Major being on administrative paid leave, but I can tell you that at no point were students or staff in danger,” Superintendent Clint Corby wrote in an email to the Record. “I have no other comments as it is a personnel matter.”

Major had planned to retire at the end of the school year. His salary is $62,863, Corby said.

Hillsboro Police Chief Jessey Hiebert also serves on the school board.

As a law enforcement officer, he said it would be difficult for Major’s statement to meet the definition of a crime, including assault and criminal threat.

“As a cop — I’m the one who teaches active shooter training — I can say that that type of talk, there’s just no place for it,” Hiebert said. “As the chief of police, I stand by what the board decided to do.”

Hiebert said the district did not call police about Major.

Major remained on a staff list on the district’s website Tuesday.

Tabor College lists him as an adjunct professor of percussion.

Adam Suderman, a spokesman for the college, said Tabor was “aware of the situation, but we don’t comment on personnel matters.”

Major did not return calls to the Record.