The principal of Red Pine Elementary in Eagan will not be disciplined for letting a parent shoot balloons with a BB gun in the school gym, a spokesman for the Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan School District said Monday.

In a decision that he later called "unwise," Principal Gary Anger allowed a parent volunteer to bring the BB gun from home after a program held for Red Pine families on Dec. 8. While a few people finished cleaning up the gym, the volunteer shot down balloons that had floated to the ceiling.

District administrators said last month that they were investigating the incident after Star Tribune reporters began asking questions. That inquiry wrapped up before the holiday break, said district spokesman Tony Taschner.

Secondary students in the district who come to school with weapons -- even look-alikes -- are recommended for expulsion.

However, policy allows firearms on school grounds in certain situations. Peace officers and color guards can carry them, for example, and other people can with written permission from a principal.

Many Red Pine parents supported Anger when he came under scrutiny for letting a volunteer shoot a BB gun.

In an e-mail to families last month, Anger wrote, "I can't imagine that there is a school staff anywhere that feels more loved and appreciated than we do." He could not be reached for comment Monday.

SARAH LEMAGIE