The board prohibits students from bringing to school, possessing, and/or using a weapon, dangerous object, or look-a-like in a school building or on school premises or property. Students bringing to school, possessing, and/or using weapons, other dangerous objects, and look-a-likes in school district facilities and on school district property causes material and substantial disruption to the school environment and/or presents a threat to the health and safety of students, employees and visitors on the school district premises or property within the jurisdiction of the school district.
Any student bringing to school, possessing, and/or using a weapon, look-a-like, other dangerous object, or any instrument used as a weapon onto school district property or onto property within the jurisdiction of the school district may be subject to disciplinary action, including, but not limited to, suspension or expulsion from school.
In accordance with federal and state law, students bringing or knowingly possessing a “firearm” to school shall be expelled for not less than twelve months. The superintendent shall have the authority to recommend this expulsion requirement be modified for a student on a case-by-case basis.
For purposes of this policy, the term “firearm” includes, but is not limited to, any weapon which is designed to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive, the frame or receiver of any such weapon, a muffler or silencer for such a weapon, or any explosive, incendiary or poison gas. Look-alike objects which resemble firearms or weapons may be treated as a firearm or weapon if school personnel consider them to be a threat to an orderly school environment. Factors to be considered in determining whether an object is to be treated as a look-alike firearm or weapon include, but are not limited to, how the object was represented, appearance of the object, use of the object, and climate or context in which the object was found.
For purposes of this policy, the term “dangerous object” includes any instrument or device designed primarily for use in inflicting death or injury upon a human being or animal, and which is capable of inflicting death upon a human being when used in the manner for which it was designed. The term “dangerous object” also includes any instrument or device or any sort whatsoever which is actually used in such a manner as to indicate that the individual intends to inflict death or injury upon the other, and which, when so used, is capable of inflicting death upon a human being. In addition, dangerous objects or any instrument used as a weapon in the school includes any object used to intimidate, coerce, scare or threaten a student, school district employee or visitor. Dangerous objects therefore include, but are not limited to, clubs, nunchakus, brass knuckles, knives regardless of blade length, stun guns, BB and pellet guns, toy guns used or displayed as real guns, and unloaded guns.
Any student bringing to school, possessing, and/or using a “dangerous weapon,” as defined in the law, on school grounds is violation of school policy that must be reported to local law enforcement agencies. Additionally, the weapon, look-a-like, other dangerous object, or any instrument used as a weapon may be confiscated by school officials and may be turned over to law enforcement agencies, as necessary and/or appropriate.
Weapons, including firearms; other dangerous objects; and look-alikes, including hunting rifles or shotguns, are not allowed on school property or at school activities even if they are unloaded and locked in vehicles. Weapons, other dangerous objects, and look-alikes will be taken from any person who bring them onto the school district property or onto property within the jurisdiction of the school district or from students who are within the control of the school district.
The following are specifically excluded from this policy:
- Weapons under the control of law enforcement officials,
- Starter pistols under the control of officials hired by the school for this purpose, and/or under the control of the Activity Director or STC Administrators,
- Weapons under the control of recognized military groups to perform honor guard ceremonies,
- Weapons or other dangerous objects or look-alikes used by authorized persons for educational purposes, and
- Weapons (firearms must be look-alike only) under the control of the school employee and used as part of a dramatic production and performance.
Except for weapons under the control of law enforcement, approval for the above exceptions must be sought, IN ADVANCE, from the building principal.
(December 19, 1994; May 15, 1995; November 20, 1995; November 17, 1997; May 17, 1999; May 21, 2001, March 15, 2010; March 21, 2011; January 19, 2015; August 19, 2019)