NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) – A New Haven middle school honors student, suspended for buying candy from a classmate, will have the discipline expunged from his record, the superintendent of schools said Wednesday night.

Michael Sheridan also was stripped of his title as class vice president, barred from attending an honors student dinner and suspended for a day after buying a bag of Skittles last month from a classmate.

The New Haven school system banned candy sales in 2003 as part of a districtwide school wellness policy, school spokeswoman Catherine Sullivan-DeCarlo said.

But Superintendent Reginald Mayo said in a statement Wednesday evening that he and principal Eleanor Turner met with Sheridan’s parents and Turner decided to clear the boy’s record and restore him to his post as student council vice president.

“I am sorry this has happened,” Turner said in a statement. “My hope is that we can get back to the normal school routine, especially since we are in the middle of taking the Connecticut mastery test.”

Turner said she should have reinforced in writing the verbal warnings against candy transactions.

Shelli Sheridan, Michael’s mother, told the New Haven Register that her son had no previous disciplinary problems.

“It’s too much. It’s too unfair,” she said. “He’s never even had a detention.”

Michael Sheridan said he didn’t realize his candy purchase was against the rules, but he noticed the student selling the Skittles on Feb. 26 was being secretive.

An administrator busted Michael with the candy in his pocket. His mother says the student who sold him the Skittles out of a lunch box also was suspended. School officials say his suspension also will be expunged.

A copy of the district’s policy states that “no candy or junk food fundraisers will be allowed on school grounds” and that only healthy snacks will be sold in vending machines.

The policy also prohibits bake sales and other food sales during school hours. The policy does not say anything about students sharing snacks when no money is exchanged.

AP-ES-03-12-08 1950EDT

Copy the Story Link