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Book

Section

Title

Code

Status

Adopted

Last Revised

Prior Revised Dates

BoardDocs® PL

Policy Manual

200 Pupils

Weapons

218.1

First Reading

September 18, 2000

August 16, 2021

8/19/2013

Purpose

The Board recognizes that the possession of weapons on school property or at school-sponsored activities is a criminal offense in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and also presents a serious legal, safety and welfare problem to the community.

Therefore, the Board emphasizes that the possession of a weapon or knowing of and not reporting the possession of a weapon on school property or at school activities is a serious violation of the district's rules and regulations.

Definitions

Weapon shall include, but is may not be limited to, any knife, cutting instrument, cutting tool, explosive device, nuchaku, firearm, BB gun, pellet gun, shotgun, rifle, replica of a weapon and/or any other tool, instrument, or implement, including mace, capable of inflicting serious bodily injury. The term weapon shall also include objects which have the appearance or characteristics of weapons as defined above, or objects which are intended and capable of producing bodily injury. Weapons also include look-alike or replica weapons which are not necessarily operable.[2]

Possessing – a student is in possession of a weapon when the weapon is found on the person of the student; in the student's locker or assigned storage area; or under the student's control while s/he is on school property, on property being used by the school, at any school function or activity, at any school event held away from the school; or while the student is on his/her way to or from school.

School property shall mean all buildings and grounds owned or controlled by and utilized by the Brentwood Borough School District, and includes, but is not limited to school buses, other school vehicles, and any public conveyance providing transportation to a school or school-sponsored activity.

School-sponsored activity shall mean any activity, regardless of the location, sponsored by the school district or a student or parent organization.

Authority

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The Board prohibits students or employees, parents, visitors and others, with the exception of law enforcement officers, from possessing and bringing weapons and replicas of weapons into any school district buildings, onto school property, to any school sponsored activity, and onto any public conveyance providing transportation to or from school or a school sponsored activity, or in any vehicle entering or departing from school premises, property or events or while the student is coming to or from school.[2][3]

The Board shall expel for a period of not less than one (1) year any student who violates this weapons policy. Such expulsion shall be given in conformance with formal due process proceedings required by law and Board policy.[2][4][5]

The Superintendent may recommend modifications of such expulsion requirement on a case-by-case basis.[2][3]

An employee, parent or visitor who possesses a weapon or firearm in violation of this policy may face police investigation and may face criminal charges. Employees will be subject to district investigation and possible dismissal, as well as any further action needed to protect students, staff and others.

In the case of an exceptional student, the Superintendent shall take all necessary steps to comply with the Individuals with Disabilities Act.[5]

When the school district receives a student who transfers from a public or private school during an expulsion period for an offense involving a weapon, the district may assign that student to an alternative assignment or may provide alternative education, provided the assignment may not exceed the expulsion period.[2]

In the case of a student with a disability, including a student for whom an evaluation is pending, the District shall take all steps required to comply with state and federal laws and regulations, the procedures set forth in the memorandum of understanding with local law enforcement and Board policies.[2][4][6][7][5][8][9][10][11]

Delegation of Responsibility

The Superintendent or designee shall react promptly to information and knowledge concerning possession of a weapon. weapons on school property. Such action shall be in compliance with state law and regulations and with the procedures set forth in the memorandum of understanding with local law enforcement officials and the District’s emergency preparedness plan.[11][12][13][11]

The Superintendent or designee shall immediately report incidents involving weapons on school property, at any school-sponsored activity or on a conveyance providing transportation to or from a school or school-sponsored activity to the local police department that has jurisdiction over the school’s property, in accordance with state law and regulations, the procedures set forth in the memorandum of understanding with local law enforcement and Board policies.[2][12][19][16][17][11]

The Superintendent or designee shall notify the parent/guardian of any student directly involved in an incident involving weapons as a victim or suspect immediately, as soon as practicable. The Superintendent or designee shall inform the parent/guardian whether or not the local police department that has jurisdiction over the school property has been or may be notified of the incident. The Superintendent or designee shall document attempts made to reach the parent/guardian.[16][18][11]

The Superintendent shall annually, by July 31, report all incidents involving acts of violence or possession of a weapon to the Office of Safe Schools on the required form in accordance with state law and regulation.[11][2][19]

When the behavior of a student in possession of a weapon indicates a threat to the safety of the student, other students, school employees, school facilities, the community or others, district staff shall

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report the student to the threat assessment team, in accordance with applicable law and Board policy. [14][15]

Guidelines

The Superintendent or designee shall immediately report incidents involving weapons on school property, at any school-sponsored activity or on a conveyance providing transportation to or from a school or school-sponsored activity to the local police department that has jurisdiction over the school’s property, in accordance with state law and regulations, the procedures set forth in the memorandum of understanding with local law enforcement and Board policies.[2][11][12][16][17][18]

The Superintendent or designee shall notify the parent/guardian of any student directly involved in an incident involving weapons as a victim or suspect immediately, as soon as practicable. The Superintendent or designee shall inform the parent/guardian whether or not the local police department that has jurisdiction over the school property has been or may be notified of the incident. The Superintendent or designee shall document attempts made to reach the parent/guardian.[11][17][19]

In accordance with state law, the Superintendent shall annually, by July 31, report all incidents involving possession of a weapon to the Office for Safe Schools on the required form.[11][16]

The building principal shall annually inform staff, students and parents/guardians about the Board policy prohibiting weapons and about their personal responsibility for the health, safety and welfare of the school community.

Students and staff shall be informed concerning this policy at least annually.

An exception to this policy may be made by the Superintendent, who shall prescribe special conditions or procedures or administrative regulations to be followed.[2]

Weapons under the control of law enforcement personnel are permitted.

Nothing in this policy is to be construed to interfere with certain activities necessary for the educational program.

In accordance with federal law, possession or discharge of a firearm in, on or within 1,000 feet of school grounds is prohibited. Violations shall be reported to the appropriate law enforcement agency.[20][21]

Transfer Students

When the district receives a student who transfers from a public or private school during an expulsion period for an offense involving a weapon, the district may assign that student to an alternative assignment or may provide alternative education, provided the assignment does not exceed the expulsion period.[2][22]

Staff and Student Expectations

Staff members and students observing or otherwise becoming aware of weapons on school property or at school activities shall report the same to the administration immediately. Administrators shall report individuals suspected of possessing weapons on school property, at school activities, or on school transportation to the appropriate law enforcement officials immediately. Staff members shall cooperate with law enforcement officials in the detection and prosecution of all violators of this policy.

School personnel who supply information relating to this policy are at present immune from prosecution as defined in Commonwealth law, provided the information was given in good faith and with the best interest of the school community in mind.

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To the greatest extent possible, information that is supplied by students shall be kept confidential to protect the students making the report.

Legal	2. 24 P.S. 1317.2

3. Pol. 233

5. 20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq

7. 22 PA Code 10.23

8. Pol. 103.1

9. Pol. 113.1

10. Pol. 113.2

11. Pol. 805.1

12. 24 P.S. 1302.1-A

13. Pol. 805

16. 22 PA Code 10.2

17. 22 PA Code 10.21

18. 22 PA Code 10.25

19. 24 P.S. 1303-A

18 Pa. C.S.A. 912

18 U.S.C. 921

18 U.S.C. 922

20 U.S.C. 7114

20 U.S.C. 7151

22 PA Code 403.1

24 P.S. 1301-A

34 CFR Part 300

Pol. 218

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