The board 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, dangerous objects and look-a-likes. Weapons and other dangerous objects and look-a-likes will 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 weapons, dangerous objects or look-a-likes on school property shall be notified of the incident. Possession or 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 firearm to school or knowingly possessing firearms at 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 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.
Weapons under the control of law enforcement officials shall be exempt from this policy. Students and individuals approved in writing by the Superintendent who are actively engaging in a school district approved firearms safety course, hunter education course, or shooting sports activity are exempt from this policy. The superintendent will develop an administrative process or procedures to implement this policy and communicate with law enforcement relevant exemptions to this policy as appropriate.
Legal Reference: 18 U.S.C. 921
Iowa Code 279.8; 280.21B; 483.A27(11), 724
281 I.A.C. 12.3(6)
Cross Reference: 502 Student Rights and Responsibilities
503 Student Discipline
507 Student Health and Well-Being
Approved: 10/10/94
Reviewed: 10/14/96; 11/09/99; 11/19/05; 11/10/10; 11/10/15; 11/10/2020
Revised: 01/13/03; 7/9/24