Security found a gun and ammunition inside a student's locker at Woodruff High School just three days after school board members considered cutting back on security officers.
That student -17-year-old Victor Simmons - is in a Peoria County Jail on $50,000 bond.
Some District 150 school officials say finding a 22-caliber gun inside one of their schools shows security is the last issue where corners can be cut.

"He is not a gangbanger he works after school everyday and has been working since he was 13 years old," says John Simmons.

John Simmons is trying to defend his son's character.
He insists Victor is a smart kid that made a stupid mistake... when he brought a gun and ammunition to Woodruff High School Wednesday morning.
"I mean from what I was told it was that he was being bullied.
I don't know why my son didn't to talk to me about it but I knew at the same time this can be stopped and this can help both him and the school district if they make the right decision."

School Board Member Martha Ross says prior to the gun being found at Woodruff High School...t he board was considering cutting security officers.
"I personally don't think we can afford to lose any of the current officers that we have.
And I think we should probably be looking at how we are using our security officers and how best they can be used and if we need to add more."

John Simmons acknowledges his son's actions may have rekindled a security debate in Peoria Schools.
But he says Victor's punishment does not fit the crime.
"They're treating him like he actually hurt somebody.
I mean I understand they are trying to make an example but at the same time he's a child and he made a mistake that he can correct in the future."

A future that used to include graduation plans for Victor Simmons...
Is now in the hands of the school board and the justice system.
Simmons is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on May 15th.