INDIANAPOLIS -- Some central Indiana school officials are taking a hard look at zero tolerance policies, RTV6's Martha Weaver reported.

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Student Suspended For Having Scissors

The increased scrutiny on the policies is due to several instances where school leaders have learned that the same rules don't apply to every situation.

But many school districts still work under zero tolerance guidelines, leaving some children to pay the price, Weaver reported.

Jacob Finklea, 12, was expelled for bringing scissors to his sewing class at Lincoln Middle School in Pike Township.

"I put them on the desk because she said, 'Get all your supplies ready to make the pillows,' and I put the scissors on the desk and she just freaked out," Jacob said.

Jacob's mother, Chrystal Finklea, is upset with the school rules that say scissors are a weapon requiring up to a two-semester expulsion.

"They were making pillows and the scissors he had hurt his hands. So when he went back to school he took my sewing scissors to school so he could finish making his pillow," Finklea said. "It's been a complete nightmare, It's been a nightmare for both of us."

Finklea said Jacob (pictured, right) excelled in elementary school but has had trouble transitioning to Lincoln Middle School, including a suspension during the first semester for bad behavior. Finklea said her son was targeted by bullies and was forced to defend himself. Jacob's counselor, teachers and pastor testified on his behalf at his expulsion hearing, to no avail.

"I'm not the kind of person who would just run up and hit somebody out of the blue, or come in or bring something to hurt somebody," Jacob said.

Zero tolerance policies were put in place after the Columbine massacre to deter and discipline students.

Indianapolis Public Schools officials conduct unannounced sweeps every day in one elementary, middle and high school. IPS Superintendent Pat Pritchett said a student hasn't brought a gun to school in the district for two years. But he believes zero tolerance policies can also miss the point.

"We know that these children need the extra help, but at the same time, that takes resources away from children who've done what we've asked them to do all along," Pritchett said. "We've had children come in drunk at 7:30 in the morning. That's a cry for help. There's something going on in that child's life if they're going to be using alcohol or drugs to that extent, that early in the morning, something's wrong."

Pike Township school officials wouldn't go on camera, but in a written statement officials said it is their policy to "vigorously enforce the prohibition of weapons or assumed weapons in the possession of any individual."

Finklea said she has contacted several schools to see if they'll teach her son, but the word "weapon" on his record has deterred many schools from even meeting with her, Weaver reported.