Weapons Policy

The board believes weapons, other dangerous objects and look-alikes in school district facilities cause material and substantial disruption to the school environment or present 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. “Weapon” includes but is not limited to, any “dangerous weapon” as may be defined by state law, gun or other firearm, knife, explosive, and other device designed to or intended to inflict bodily injury or death.

Weapons, other dangerous objects and look-alikes shall be taken from students and others 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.

Parents of students found to possess a weapon, dangerous objects or look-alikes in violation of this policy shall be notified of the incident.  Confiscation of such prohibited items and the name(s) of student(s) involved shall be reported to the law enforcement officials as appropriate, and the student(s) will be subject to disciplinary action including suspension or expulsion.  For the purposes of this policy, “possession” includes, but is not limited to, actual physical control of the prohibited item because it is on or in the student’s body, in a locker individually assigned to a student, in an item of personal property belonging to the student (including, but not limited to, a book bag, backpack, or purse), or in a vehicle which the student owns or operates.

Students bringing a firearm to school or knowingly possessing firearms at school shall be expelled for not less than twelve (12) 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 portion of this policy, the term “firearm” includes 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, any destructive device, as defined under state or federal law.

Students may not use normally non-destructive objects such as pencils, rulers, compasses or books in a threatening or assaultive manner.  The use of any object in a dangerous way will be treated as if the item used were a weapon.

Students shall not possess toy weapons or look-alike weapons at school except with the knowledge and permission of a teacher, coach or administrator, and then only for school or educational purposes.  Violation of this policy shall result in confiscation of the weapon and detention, suspension, or expulsion depending upon the student’s disciplinary history.

Any student who threatens another person on school property or at a school event with a weapon or an object that resembles a weapon including, but not limited to, a toy pistol or rifle, squirt gun, cap gun, rubber knife or plastic grenade, or who displays any object in such a manner as reasonably to place another person in fear for his or her safety shall be subject to discipline by the principal or superintendent including possible suspension and recommendation for expulsion.

Students who have knowledge or a belief of the existence of a weapon on school grounds or at a school activity shall promptly report to a school official.  Failure to report will be grounds for suspension or expulsion from school.

Weapons under the control of law enforcement officials shall be exempt from this policy.  The principal may allow authorized persons to display weapons, other dangerous objects or look-alikes for educational purposes.  Such a display shall also be exempt from this policy.

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