P1466 POSSESSION OR USE OF WEAPONS

BOARD POLICY:

Any pupil who is found to have brought handled, transmitted or to have been in possession of a weapon, as defined in AIP 1a and b, including any firearm or replica firearm at school, on school property, or at a school supervised activity shall receive a mandatory expulsion from the school district for 186 school days.

Any pupil who is found to have brought or to have been in possession of any article (as defined in AIP 1c) at school, on school property, or at a school supervised activity shall be subject to disciplinary action up to and including expulsion from the school district for 186 school days.

Any pupil who uses any article (as defined in AIP 1d) to inflict bodily harm or to place a person(s) in fear of bodily harm at school, on school property, or at a school supervised activity shall be subject to disciplinary action up to and including expulsion from the school district for 186 school days.

Administrative Implemental Procedures:

1.     Weapon means articles defined according to state statute and/or local education authority. Examples are as follows:

a.      Weapon as defined in K.S.A. 72-89a01, including any firearm, bomb, or explosive device, or any combination of parts from which a destructive device may be readily assembled; bludgeon; sand club; metal knuckles; or throwing star; switchblade knife; knife having a blade that opens or falls or is ejected into position by the force of gravity or by an outward, downward or centrifugal thrust or movement.

b.     Replica firearm. Replica firearm means a realistic replica of a firearm that, because of the appearance of such replica firearm, could be used to place a person in fear of bodily harm.

c.      Any single bladed article that could cut or stab, or any article that is commonly used or is designed to inflict bodily harm.

d.     Any article that is not per se a weapon which is used for the purpose of inflicting bodily harm upon a person or is used to cause a person to be placed in fear of bodily harm. Examples include, but are not limited to, laser pens, belts, combs, pencils, files, compasses, and scissors.

2.     Administrator or other delegated school official shall confiscate weapons (as defined in AIP 1a) and turn such weapons over to the appropriate law enforcement agency. Other weapons used in violation of this policy shall also be subject to being confiscated.

3.     The administration shall establish a program, which at the discretion of the administration may, based upon the age, the severity of the offense, the past record, and any other relevant factors, be offered to pupils violating this policy with the exception of AIP #1a, and b.  If the pupil participates in and completes the program, the pupil may, at the discretion of the District Hearing Officer, be reinstated at a district school. In case of such reinstatement, the District Hearing Officer will select the school the pupil attends.

4.     When a violation of this policy occurs which is also a violation of law, administration or other delegated officials will call appropriate law enforcement agencies in accordance with policy entitled School Safety and Security Incident Reporting.

5.     When recommending extended suspension or expulsion for special education pupils, refer to additional requirements listed in the Administrative Handbook for Special Education.

6.     The Superintendent has the discretion to modify the expulsion requirement in a manner, which is consistent with requirements of federal law.

7.     The provisions of this policy do not apply to the possession by pupils of ceremonial instruments at school, on school property, or school supervised activity if the possession is connected with the supervised use of ceremonial instruments, such as sabers by the Junior ROTC students and props for drama productions. Such use must be specifically authorized in writing by the Superintendent.

8.     Every pupil and parent will be required to sign a weapons/drugs policy statement yearly informing them of the disciplinary action that can and will be taken if a pupil is found to be in violation of this policy. 

The Board attorney has approved this policy in form and content.

Administrative Responsibility: Safety Services Department

Latest Revision Date: September 2008

Previous Revision Date: October 1999  P1466