524 - Weapons

The Board believes weapons, other dangerous objects, look-a-likes, and any instrument used as a weapon in 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 District premises or property within the jurisdiction of the District.

School district facilities are not an appropriate place for weapons, dangerous objects, look-a-likes or any instrument used as a weapon.  Weapons, other dangerous objects, look-a-likes, and any instrument used as a weapon will be taken from students and others who bring them onto the District property or onto property within the jurisdiction of the District or from students who are within the control of the District.  Students bringing a weapon, other dangerous object, look-a-like or any instrument used as a weapon onto District property or onto property within the jurisdiction of the District may be suspended or expelled from school.

Parents of students found to possess weapons, dangerous objects, look-a-likes or any instrument used as a weapon on District property shall be notified of the incident.  Confiscation of weapons, dangerous objects, look-a-likes or any instrument used as a weapon will be reported to law enforcement officials, and the student will be subject to disciplinary action including suspension or expulsion.

Students bringing firearms to school or knowingly possessing firearms at school will be expelled for not less than twelve months and will be referred to law enforcement authorities.  The Superintendent has the authority to recommend this expulsion requirement be modified for students on a case-by-case basis.  For purposes of this portion 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.

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.

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

 

REVIEWED: 11/18/2019 - APPROVED 12/03/2019

REVISED: 02/05/2021 – APPROVED 03/15/2021

REVIEWED: 12/19/2022