READFIELD -- The weapon a Maranacook Community High School student brought into the school last week was a handgun, Maranacook-area schools Superintendent Rich Abramson said Monday.

Officials searched the student early Wednesday morning and discovered the weapon, Abramson said.

"The student was searched for contraband," he said. "And it was first thing in the morning. That's why I felt there was no risk to students at that point."

Abramson declined to specify why the student carrying the handgun was searched, citing an ongoing investigation into the incident by Maine State Police.

"This was something that was found," he said. "We weren't looking for it."

The student has been suspended pending an early December review of the situation by the Maranacook Community School District board, according to Abramson.

Abramson said he met with the student's family on Thursday. He drafted a statement to notify parents on Thursday afternoon and distributed it early Friday morning.

"We were working with State Police at that point," Abramson said, explaining the timing of the release of the information. "They needed to determine where the weapon might have come from."

The notice sent to parents mistakenly said the incident took place Tuesday, Abramson said.

"We did want to notify that this was what transpired," Abramson said. "It didn't go home immediately because the investigation was ongoing with the State Police."

Maranacook Community High School staff members notified students of the incident at school on Friday. Students discussed the incident in groups with their staff advisers.

"The crisis team was called together," Abramson said. "And all of the advisers had talking points to share with students."

Abramson said Wednesday was the first time in his nearly eight years as Maranacook superintendent when a student brought a weapon into school.

"To me, I think that speaks volumes that kids generally feel safe," he said.

The superintendent praised staff members for their handling of the situation.

"The staff reacted exactly how I would have wanted them to," he said.

If the situation were different, Abramson said, he would have reacted differently.

"If I felt people were in harm's way," he said, "my actions would have been very different."