502.5 Weapons

The Board of Directors believes weapons and other dangerous objects and look-a-likes 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.

School district facilities are not an appropriate place for weapons or dangerous objects and look-a-likes. Weapons and other dangerous objects and look-a-likes 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 or dangerous objects or look-a-likes on school property shall be notified of the incident. Confiscation of weapons or dangerous objects shall be reported to the law enforcement officials, and the student will be subject to disciplinary action including suspension or expulsion.

Students bringing a weapon(s) to school or knowingly possessing weapon(s) at school shall be expelled for not less than twelve months. Students bringing to school or possessing dangerous weapons, including firearms, will be referred to law enforcement authorities. 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, but is not limited to an air-gun, 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 of 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 shall be exempt from this policy. The principal may allow authorized persons to display weapons or other dangerous objects or look-a-likes for educational purposes. Such a display shall also be exempt from this policy. It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent, in conjunction with the principal, to develop administrative regulations regarding this policy.

Legal Reference:  18 U.S.C. § 921
Iowa Code §§ 279.8; 280.21B; 483A.27(11), 724
281 I.A.C. 12.3(6)

Cross Reference:  Series 502 Student Rights and Responsibilities
Series 503 Student Discipline
Series 507 Student Health and Well-Being
Series 504 Student Health and Safety
Policy Primer - Volume 8, Number 1 - August 10, 1994
Policy Primer - Volume 8, Number 6 - July 5, 1995
502.1 Prohibition of Serious Student Misconduct

Adopted:
Modified:  06/07/21
Reviewed:  05/17/21