ALTON - An attempt by an Alton School Board member to make a point by holding up a large knife was not well taken, according to response to an incident that occurred at last week's board meeting.

A portion of the taped meeting during which board member Stephen Miller held up a large knife during a discussion on the district's policy on weapons is posted in a YouTube video called "Knife at Public Meeting - Alton, NH." Videos of school board and other public meetings in Alton are also routinely available on YouTube.

At the Feb. 21 meeting, Miller said he opposed non-students carrying a knife on school grounds. Then, holding up a large knife, said, "This is essentially legal," and he said there are no laws against carrying a knife, any knife, in Florida.

School board chairman Jeff St. Cyr said the current school board weapon policy is the same as in the 1990s, and that the knife should be folded. He then asked Miller to put the knife away.

"Please keep your knife in your pocket because we don't need knives at a school board meeting," said St. Cyr.

"Does that offend you? It should offend you," said Miller.