The arrest by the Mount Vernon Police Department of a Pelham Memorial High School student last week on charges of armed robbery has roiled the school district and sparked some concern among parents about safety at the school.
Superintendent Cheryl Champ and interim high school principal Sean Llewellyn have provided no information about the student, other than to confirm that his residence is in Pelham. Federal law prohibits a school district from disclosing educational records of students, including disciplinary history, without parental authorization.
So far, the district has not communicated any details about when the student will be allowed to return to school.
The district’s code of conduct allows for a one-year suspension of any student who engages in violent conduct—including the possession of a weapon—on school property or at a school event. According to a public statement issued by the Mount Vernon Police, the 16-year-old allegedly showed a firearm while robbing a Metro by T-Mobile store, leaving with more than $5,000 worth of smartphones. That description suggests no apparent connection to the high school.
A district spokesman declined to comment via email on what type of suspension officials were considering in this case. But on the subject of disciplinary actions in general, the spokesman wrote that, “School principals have the authority to suspend a student out of school up to five days. If the infraction under the Code of Conduct warrants consideration of a longer term suspension or additional discipline, the matter progresses to a Superintendent’s hearing. This is part of the standard due process rights afforded to students under New York State Education Law. Following the hearing, the Superintendent can impose additional consequences including lengthening the suspension beyond the initial five days consistent with the applicable portions of the Code of Conduct and provided there is sufficient evidence to do so. Matters of student discipline are handled administratively and are not subject to input from the Board of Education. The parents/guardians of the student have the right to appeal the findings of a Superintendent’s hearing to the Board of Education and ultimately the Commissioner of Education.”
Following his arrest, the 16-year-old was charged with one count of robbery in the first degree and criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, according to the statement issued by the police. He was arraigned in the specialized section of Westchester County criminal court that deals with adolescent offenders, according to an employee in the District Attorney’s office. While records of such court appearances are available at the office of the court’s clerk, they typically do not include the defendants’ names, according to a spokesman for the DA’s office.
As a matter of law, the student is considered innocent until the criminal charges lodged against him are proven. He also has the right to an education, which is a factor that administrators have to consider when weighing the severity of any penalties against him.
According to Champ, the school district learned of the incident last Wednesday morning. In a note to parents, she wrote, “While we are unable to share the individual’s name or confirm details about the incident as it involves a minor and occurred off school grounds, I want to unequivocally state that the alleged activity is serious and inconsistent with the values of the Pelham Public Schools. Understandably, these reports are concerning to students and families. I want to assure you that the safety of our students and staff is our top priority. Our safety team at the MS/HS campus has been briefed about this incident and is aware of the individual involved. Additionally, our security consultants at Altaris are in communication with Mount Vernon and Pelham police. There is nothing to indicate any safety concerns for our students and staff.”
After learning of the incident, school representatives conducted a search of the student’s locker, according to a person with knowledge of the matter. In response to a question about the search, the district spokesman wrote that, “without speaking to the specifics of this situation, schools have wide latitude to search students’ lockers, especially when there is reasonable suspicion regarding student safety, prohibited conduct or suspected illicit activity.”
The Board of Education’s next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, December 10, at the Middle School library. On the agenda is a celebration of the Pelham Memorial High School’s fall sports teams, a report from Superintendent Champ, an update from KG&D Architects on the latest design plans for improvements to Siwanoy Elementary School and a report from the student representatives on the Board of Ed. The meetings typically include a period devoted to public comment.
Dan Bollin • Dec 10, 2025 at 2:05 pm
I’m surprised and confused by how vocal the school district has been about this issue. The (alleged) criminal activity involved a PHS minor and occurred off school grounds. Is it appropriate or helpful for a school spokesperson to speak publicly—and at length—about potential discipline the district may eventually administer? Is it appropriate or helpful for the Superintendent to email every family in the district, drawing attention to the incident and assuring them that the district opposes… armed robbery? Is it appropriate for the district to require teachers to read that email to every student? Is that fair to the accused? This isn’t an ambiguous situation—like a student scratching a swastika in a bathroom, for example—where the district must choose among several possible responses, and where communicating its position offers clarity. I’m not sure what voices or concerns the district is trying to quell here, but the reaction feels defensive and counterproductive.