The Wapello Board of Directors believes weapons and 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.
School district facilities are not an appropriate place for weapons, or dangerous objects, and look-alikes. Weapons and 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 weapons or dangerous objects or look-a-likes on school property shall be notified of the incident. Possession or confiscation of weapons or dangerous objects will be reported to the law enforcement officials, and students will be subject to disciplinary action including suspension or expulsion.
Students bringing firearms to school or knowingly possessing firearms at school shall be expelled for not less than one year. 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, 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, or otherwise defined by applicable law.
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 the policy and communicate with law enforcement relevant exemptions to this policy as appropriate.
Legal Reference: 18 U.S.C. 921)
Iowa Code 270=9.8; 280.21B; 483A.27(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: 8/17/95
Reviewed: 1/9/03; 02/14/08; 1/12/12
Revised: 1/9/03; 9/21/06; 11/8/17; 8/10/22; 7/11/24