HOLT - Jeremy Hix and his twin sister Jessica, who shared a kindergarten classroom, will don caps and gowns together as part of the class of 2002.

After two months of deliberation, the Holt High School administration and Hix’s family came to a settlement in the case that put Michigan’s zero-tolerance laws to the test.

Hix was kicked out of his junior prom earlier this year and suspended from school for wearing traditional Scottish bagpiper attire, which included a “sgian dubh”- a 3 1/2 inch ceremonial knife - tucked in his right sock.

Hix, 16, will not be expelled and the incident will not be on his permanent record. He said he was happy with the decision that came Tuesday.

“It means a lot to me (to graduate) because my twin and I have been going to school together. It is important for us to graduate and walk down the aisle,” Hix said.

Under the settlement conditions, Hix will not withdraw from the Holt School District, but he will not attend classes during the first semester, this fall. Hix will be allowed to attend extracurricular and public events at the school.

During that time, Hix can earn credits toward his high school degree through the Michigan Virtual High School, or by taking classes at MSU or Lansing Community College. He will be allowed to return to Holt High School for the second semester, meaning the honors student can graduate with his class.

The agreement was read Tuesday night to a crowd full of media, friends and community members at Washington Woods Middle School, 2055 S. Washington Ave. in Holt. Many students who had signed petitions to keep Hix in school then filtered to Jessica Hix’s side, offering hugs and support.

The school board originally met to decide the case July 11, but Frank Fleischmann, Hix’s attorney, requested the decision be delayed because a hearing officer had given a memo to the school board explaining the expulsion law and recommending expulsion of Hix.

Katie Bobka, Hix’s girlfriend, said the last few months have been tough for Hix and his family.

“He hasn’t slept well,” Bobka said. “We’re just happy to have it done with.”

School administrators said the decision was reasonable, fair and overdue.

“The law clearly says there are choices,” Holt Superintendent Tom Davis said. “The law is not a zero-tolerance law. There are exceptions and we have considered those exceptions.”

Fleischmann said the case fit the exception because Hix was not aware the instrument was considered a dangerous weapon and didn’t intend to use the instrument as a weapon.

But Davis said the intent issue is difficult to judge.

He said there was a violation of the law, which is why Hix will serve a minimum of 100 days out of school.

Under Michigan’s laws, Hix could have been expelled from public schools for 150 days, preventing him from attending his senior year and graduating.

Don Weatherspoon, the assistant superintendent for Michigan schools, said the case will not serve as a precedent to national or local school district decisions.

“Each local district has the discretion to interpret the law,” said Weatherspoon, who is also the director of Office of Safe Schools for the state Department of Education. “In other states there have been students expelled for bringing a butter knife to school or an apple peeler.”

Some believe Hix should have been expelled.

“I think they should have enforced the policy because he brought a weapon into a school environment,” Holt resident Mark Freeman said. “Where do you draw the line?”

Students said the case has encouraged them to get more involved in knowing school policy.

Addam Ayala, a junior at Holt, signed petitions in support of Hix and felt the school board prevented Hix from expressing himself with his Scottish garb.

“I want my opinion to be heard,” Ayala said. “If someone can’t express their heritage what are they going to take from us next?”

Hix, like some of his classmates, said he was unaware of the law.

“The lesson that I’ve learned is the system works in different ways,” Hix said. “I’ve had a giant civics lesson through this whole ordeal and I’ve learned that zero tolerance is not zero tolerance and that there are exceptions.”

Colleen Vallad-Hix, Hix’s mother, said she would have liked to see the case go further, but she was happy it was finally settled.

“I felt like he should say his piece,” she said.

Jessica Hix agreed.

But she’s happy to know she will have her brother by her side on graduation day next spring.

“I’ve been distraught. I’ve wanted to be able to share one of the happiest events in my life with my brother,” she said. “I’m just relieved and so happy he will be with me.”

Kristina Hughes can be reached at hughesk7@msu.edu.