Bad Axe High School Substitute Teacher Brings Bladed Artifacts to Class

Investigation finds no danger after school staff report questionable objects

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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A substitute teacher at Bad Axe High School in Michigan brought two bladed artifacts to class as part of a lesson on Wednesday. After a staff member reported the objects, the school principal removed them from the classroom and the school resource officer secured the items as a precaution. The district superintendent and police chief later informed families that there was no danger to students or staff at any point during the incident.

Why it matters

Schools take any potential security threats very seriously, and this incident highlights the importance of vigilant staff and a swift response from administrators to ensure student and teacher safety. While the artifacts were intended for educational purposes, the school followed proper protocols to address the situation.

The details

The substitute teacher brought the two antique bladed artifacts to class as part of a lesson connected to their personal world travel experience. After a staff member reported seeing the objects, Principal Craig Archer removed them from the classroom and the school resource officer secured the items as an extra precaution. The artifacts were ultimately removed from campus by the middle of the school day.

  • On Wednesday, February 11, 2026, before the start of the school day, a staff member informed the High School Principal of the questionable objects.
  • By the middle of the school day on February 11, 2026, the bladed artifacts had been removed from the school campus.

The players

Craig Archer

The principal of Bad Axe High School.

Greg Newland

The district superintendent of Bad Axe Public Schools.

Shawn Webber

The police chief of Bad Axe, Michigan.

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What they’re saying

“We must maintain a safe learning environment for our school community.”

— Greg Newland, District Superintendent (Letter to families)

“The prompt response by the school's administration and school resource officer helped address this situation.”

— Shawn Webber, Police Chief (Letter to families)

What’s next

The school district and local police will continue to review protocols for addressing potential security concerns to ensure the safety of students and staff.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the importance of vigilant staff, clear communication, and swift action by school administrators to address any potential security issues and maintain a safe learning environment for students.