Gustine principal returns to work after attack on campus

MERCED COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- A principal in Gustine who was recently attacked on campus returned to work this week. Some parents say his presence puts students in danger.

Principal Ismael Munoz was not at Gustine Elementary School on Wednesday, but he did return to work on Monday. Some parents say they're thrilled to have him back, and they fully support him. But others are worried he could be the target of another attack that may put students in harms way.

Extra officers are assigned to Gustine Elementary School, and new security measures are in place, but Chris Cornell says that's not enough. "The locked gate, the stepped up security things like that, it's not going to stop flying bullets."

Cornell is working to transfer his daughter to a different school since learning principal Ismael Munoz returned to work on Monday. But he's still worried about the other students. He feels they're not safe with Munoz on campus.

Cornell explained, "There's no way to know, the consequences that could happen if they come back after him, it's just not worth the risk."

Police say two men slashed Munoz's face with a box cutter on Thursday, December 4th in front of about six students. Officers believe he was specifically targeted, and they're still searching for the suspects.

Chief Doug Dunford with the Gustine Police Department said, "We're still following up on the leads originally and they're leading us onto other information, so we're still diligently looking at everything that they've given us."

The principal could not be reached for comment, but the superintendent told us over the phone the decision to bring Munoz back was made with input from law enforcement and that he would not put children in danger. He also said it appears only two families feel the way Cornell does. We did speak with multiple parents who said they're happy to have Munoz back and that the campus is safer than ever because everyone is more vigilant. But Cornell believes many other people feel the same way he does.

Cornell said, "The major concern is not the principal, and it's a horrible thing that did happen to him, but what could possibly happen to the kids, that's absolutely the main concern."