Medford, OR – A Medford School District (MSD) board member, Michael Williams, will not face criminal charges after an investigation into his carrying a knife on school grounds. However, the district has stated that his actions still violated school policies, which prohibit weapons on campus.
The Jackson County District Attorney’s Office (JCDA) confirmed Monday that it would not be filing charges against Williams, who had been the subject of a criminal complaint regarding his actions in October. According to the complaint, Williams had been seen wearing a sheathed knife on his belt during school board meetings and while at MSD facilities.
The Oregon State Police (OSP) conducted an investigation into the matter, which was referred to them by the Medford Police Department (MPD) after an initial inquiry. OSP’s findings, reviewed by JCDA, concluded that Williams did not use, threaten to use, or attempt to use the knife as a weapon. Under Oregon law, a knife can be considered a dangerous weapon, but it is not illegal to simply possess one unless it is used in a manner that could cause serious injury or death. As Williams did not use the knife in a threatening manner, the investigation determined no criminal wrongdoing had occurred.
In a statement released today, JCDA explained that while possessing a knife on school property could technically qualify as possessing a dangerous weapon, Williams was not found to have violated the law. “The statute prohibits a person from using the instrument as a dangerous weapon while in possession of it,” the statement read. “It does not prohibit the person from merely possessing the instrument.”
Despite the legal outcome, MSD officials remain firm in their stance that Williams’ actions violated district policy. The district had previously raised concerns with Williams about the visible knife, requesting that he refrain from wearing it on school property. MSD argues that the presence of weapons—regardless of their intent—is incompatible with the district’s safety policies, which are designed to maintain a secure environment for students and staff.
“Despite multiple conversations and written communications with Board Member Michael Williams regarding his wearing his knife visibly on MSD campuses, he chose to dismiss these requests and persisted in wearing his knife on MSD campuses in violation of Board policy,” the district’s statement said.
The district further clarified that its primary concern was not whether a crime had been committed, but rather whether its policies were being adhered to. “Our ultimate goal was, and remains, to uphold and enforce the district’s policy prohibiting weapons, including, but not limited to, knives on campus,” MSD officials stated. “Such policies are essential for ensuring safety, fostering security, and modeling responsible behavior for our students.”
While the investigation did not result in criminal charges, the district emphasized that it may pursue other measures to address the violation of its policies, including issuing trespass citations or excluding Williams from district property if the situation persists.
The incident is part of a broader conversation about safety and weapons policies in schools. MSD has expressed its desire to advocate for stronger state laws that align with stricter school policies, urging that possession of weapons on school grounds be treated more harshly under the law. “We are committed to advocating for change at the state level to align statutes impacting school safety with the stricter standards applied in courtrooms,” the district’s statement concluded.
Williams, who has been advised by legal counsel to limit his comments, has defended his actions, explaining that the knife is part of his work equipment as an Oregon Department of Agriculture inspector. He has maintained that he regularly wears it while visiting school district offices and campuses.
The ongoing tension between Williams’ defense of his right to carry the knife and the district’s commitment to its no-weapons policy is expected to continue, particularly as MSD considers next steps in enforcing its standards for safety on school grounds.
The Medford School District has reiterated its commitment to maintaining a safe environment where students and staff can thrive, emphasizing that policies regarding weapons are central to that mission.