Mosinee School District says hunter safety program is under review after teacher brings non-functioning rifle to school

MOSINEE, Wis. (WSAW) - We have an update about a story that involves the Mosinee School District, a donated non-functioning rifle, and two teachers. 7 Investigates just got a response to a public records request related to the lead hunter safety instructor Lori Hodgson.

The Mosinee School District’s attorney tells us Hodgson is still employed with the Mosinee School District and there are no complaints against her. We also know from the police report that Hodgson has taken almost the exact steps as former kindergarten teacher Crystal Zastrow when she brought in a donated nonfunctioning rifle in the beginning of January. While Hodgson is still employed with the district Zastrow has resigned.

In the police report, 7 Investigates obtained Hodgson told police she went to pick up the donated non-functioning rifle with former teacher Zastrow. Hodgson said she was the one who signed off all the forms and received the background check for the rifle.

An employee shared concerns with the school, and then informed the police they were not aware Zastrow would be bringing in a rifle for the hunter safety program. The district tells us now they didn’t know Zastrow’s intentions either or that the rifle was non-functioning.

According to the police report, Zastrow brought in the non-functioning rifle before school, but during a time when the before-school care and breakfast program was happening. Hodgson told police she wasn’t aware of how Zastrow brought in the non-functioning rifle.

However, she said she had brought in the last donated gun in the same way but at a time when no one was around.

The school district told us that parents were informed of the incident on the day it happened but the district was not able to share Zastrow’s intentions. We still don’t know if Hodgson is still the lead instructor for the hunter safety program, but the school district has told us the hunter safety program is under review.

Mosinee Schoo District Statement:

“The Mosinee School District has been contacted by local news media regarding a situation involving the conduct of a former School District employee related to the bringing of a weapon to the school building at the start of the school day. The Mosinee School District normally does not comment regarding personnel matters. However, because of the ongoing media inquiries, the Mosinee School District feels compelled to provide a response to the local news media to clarify certain statements. The School District was not aware of any intention by the employee to bring the weapon to school and was not advised ahead of time of the actions being taken. The School District was unable to notify parents or staff about the intentions of the individual. The School District did notify the parents of the incident on the day it happened. The School District did not have confirming information that the weapon was non-functioning. The Hunter’s Safety course and its future in the school setting is under review. The School District does not intend to provide any further responses to questions regarding this matter.”