WEAPONS IN SCHOOL POLICY

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Following recent school tragedies in Florida and Kentucky, our District experienced some “false alarm” weapons reports. A student also brought a toy gun to school. We feel it’s important to remind both students and parents about the District policy regarding weapons on campus, and the potential penalties that students may face if they violate this policy.

All students are receiving ongoing age-appropriate education about the weapons policy, and I urge you to become familiar with them as well. Please discuss the policy and possible consequences with your children.

MSBA Policy JFCJ, “Weapons in Schools,” states that no student may have any weapon on any school property at any time. You can view the full policy on our Website at http://www.perryville.k12.mo.us/o/district-32 under “Quick Links.”

School property includes our campus, all buildings we own or rent, our parking lots and playgrounds, school buses, and any other property at which a school activity is taking place. This means that the District’s discipline procedures will apply to a student who violates this policy even if they are attending a game or event sponsored by school in a public place such as a park or community center.

It’s also important for you to know that our policy on weapons includes “any object designed to look like or imitate” a prohibited weaponThis means that a student will face disciplinary action for bringing a toy gun or toy knife to school.

As outlined in Policy JFCJ, a weapon is defined to include:

  1. A firearm as defined in 18 U.S.C. § 921.

  2. A blackjack, concealable firearm, firearm, firearm silencer, explosive weapon, gas gun, knife, knuckles, machine gun, projectile weapon, rifle, shotgun, spring gun, switchblade knife, as these terms are defined in § 571.010, RSMo.

  3. A dangerous weapon as defined in 18 U.S.C § 930 (g)(2).

  4. All knives and any other instrument or device used or designed to be used to threaten or assault, whether for attack or defense.

  5. Any object designed to look like or imitate a device as described in 1-4.

Pursuant to the Missouri Safe Schools Act and the federal Gun-Free Schools Act of 1994, any student who brings or possesses a weapon as defined in #1 or #2 above on school property (described above) will be suspended from school for at least one calendar year or expelled and will be referred to the appropriate legal authorities. The suspension or expulsion may be modified on a case-by-case basis upon recommendation by the superintendent to the Board of Education.

Students who bring weapons to school or possess them on school property or at school activities in violation of #3-5 are also subject to suspension and expulsion from school and may be referred to the appropriate legal authorities.

You’ll note that this policy does not require intent to harm or intimidate others for a violation to occur. Simply having these items in their possession exposes your child to possible suspension, expulsion or arrest.

These policies and consequences may seem harsh when we think about a small child bringing a toy gun to school, or an older student forgetting that they have a Swiss Army knife in their jacket pocket. But, as recent school attacks remind us, this is the not the world in which you and I were raised. Our children are precious and their safety remains our highest priority.

Again, I ask that you discuss this policy with your children, and assist them in making sure that they do not inadvertently bring prohibited items to school or school activities. We want all of our students to have a safe and successful educational experience at District 32.

If you have any questions about this policy, feel free to contact me or your building principals.

Sincerely,


Andy Comstock

Andy Comstock

Superintendent

Weapons in School Policy JFCJ (Students)

Click here to download policy JFCJ

The Board recognizes the importance of preserving a safe educational environment for students, employees and patrons of the district. In order to maintain the safety of the educational community, the district will strictly enforce the necessary disciplinary consequences resulting from the use or possession of weapons on school property. No student may possess a weapon on school property at anytime, except as specifically authorized during a school-sponsored or school-sanctioned activity permitting weapons. The school district will provide secured storage of student firearms if necessary.

School property is defined as: Property utilized, supervised, rented, leased, or controlled by the school district including but not limited to school playgrounds, parking lots and school buses, and any property on which any school activity takes place.

A weapon is defined to mean one or more of the following:

  1. A firearm as defined in 18 U.S.C. §

  • A blackjack, concealable firearm, firearm, firearm silencer, explosive weapon, gas gun, knife, knuckles, machine gun, projectile weapon, rifle, shotgun, spring gun, switchblade knife, as these terms are defined in§ 57i.0l0,

  1. A dangerous weapon as defined in 18 U.S.C. § 930(g)(2).

  1. All knives and any other instrument or device used or designed to be used to threaten or assault, whether for attack or

  1. Any object designed to look like or imitate a device as described in 1-4.

Pursuant to the Missouri Safe Schools Act and the federal Gun-Free Schools Act of 1994, any student who brings or possesses a weapon as defined in #1 or #2 above on school property will be suspended from school for at least one calendar year or expelled and will be referred to the appropriate legal authorities. The suspension or expulsion may be modified on a case-by-case basis upon recommendation by the superintendent to the Board of Education. Students who bring or possess weapons as defined in #3, #4 and #5 and not otherwise included in #1 and #2, will also be subject to suspension and/or expulsion from school and may be referred to the appropriate legal authorities.

Students with disabilities who violate this policy will be disciplined in accordance with policy JGE.

© 2000, Missouri School Boards' Association, Registered in U.S. Copyright Office

For Office Use Only: JFCJ-C.11 (10/00) Page 1

This policy will be submitted annually to the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education along with a report indicating any suspensions or expulsions resulting from the possession or use of a firearm as defined in 18 U.S.C. § 921. The report will include the name of the school in which the incidents occurred, the number of students suspended or expelled and the types of weapons involved.

Adopted: 07/19/2017

Cross Refs: ECA, Building and Grounds Security

Legal Refs: §§ 160.261, 571.010, .030, RSMo

Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 as amended by the Gun-Free Schools Act of 1994

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C. §§ 1400 - 1417 Perry County School District No. 32, Perryville, Missouri

Policy ECA Buildings and Grounds Security: Firearms and Other Weapons

Click here to download Policy ECA

It is the goal of the Perry County School District to provide a safe learning environment for students and a safe working environment for employees. The Board directs the superintendent or designee to routinely inspect the district's property and bring proposals for improving security to the Board.

PROPERTY ACCESS

In general, district buildings and property are not open to the public unless the district has specifically opened a building or property for public use or for an event to which the public is invited. The superintendent or designee will establish regular business hours and locations where members of the general public may contact the district and interact with district employees.

The superintendent or designee will set hours when parents/guardians may drop off and pick up their students. The district is not responsible for the supervision of students except during regular school hours or other times designated by the district.

The superintendent or designee will determine which district employees need access to district buildings or grounds outside regular building hours and provide those employees with keys or electronic access. The district will maintain a list of employees with access and will routinely monitor this list to ensure that only current employees continue to have access. An employee's access may be revoked at any time.

All district employees and volunteers are required to maintain security in district buildings, enforce building access rules and take action when doors are left unsecured or district security is otherwise compromised.

SECURITY PERSONNEL

The district may employ or contract for trained and appropriately licensed personnel or independent contractors to provide security during the regular school day, after regular business hours or during events or activities where additional security is determined necessary.

SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS

The district utilizes surveillance equipment on district property and in district facilities for security purposes.

FIREARMS AND OTHER WEAPONS

No person shall carry a firearm, a concealed weapon or any other weapon readily capable of lethal use into any school, onto any school transportation or onto the premises of any function or activity sponsored or sanctioned by the district, except for authorized law enforcement officials. Adults may possess weapons on school property for the limited purpose of facilitating or participating in a school-sanctioned firearm-related event. School officials are prohibited from authorizing any person to bring weapons on school property or to school activities, including concealed weapons, beyond the exceptions stated in this policy. Students may participate in school-sanctioned gun safety courses, student military or ROTC courses, or other school-sponsored or club-sponsored firearm-related events, provided the student does not carry a firearm or other weapon readily capable of lethal use into any school, onto any school bus, or onto the premises of any other function or activity sponsored or sanctioned by school officials or the district School Board.

Any person who possesses a weapon in violation of this policy will be asked to leave district property. In addition, district administrators may report the incident to law enforcement officials, ban the person from school property or school events in accordance with policy KK or seek other legal remedies. Possession of weapons by students is governed by policy JFCJ and regulation JG-R l.

LOSS, DAMAGE, AND THEFT

The superintendent or designee will establish controls to prevent the loss, damage and theft of district property. The administrators, department heads and supervisors of programs, buildings and departments are responsible for creating and enforcing practices and protocols to secure equipment and supplies and for budgeting for the locks, safes or storage facilities necessary to prevent loss and theft and to protect district property.

All district employees must report missing or damaged property to their supervisor as soon as they become aware that property is missing or damaged. District patrons and students are encouraged to report incidents of damage to or theft of district property. All reports of missing or damaged property will be investigated.

The Board shall seek all legal redress against persons found to have committed acts of willful or malicious abuse, destruction, damage or theft of district property. The superintendent or designee is authorized to file charges on behalf of the district for theft, vandalism or other criminal activity involving district property.

Students found guilty of theft or willful damage to any district property will be disciplined in accordance with Board policies and regulations. Any employee whose actions or inactions cause the loss, damage or theft of district property may be disciplined or terminated. The district will seek restitution for willful damage to district property under the laws of this state. In the case of minors, restitution will be sought from their parents/guardians.

SECURITY RECORDS

In accordance with law and district policy, the district has closed records pertaining to district security guidelines, policies and response plans; structural plans of real property; security systems; and access and authorization codes for security systems. Other security-related records will only be provided to members of the public upon request when required by law.

Cross Refs: BDC, Closed Meetings, Records and Votes DID, Inventory Management

JFCJ, Weapons in School

JGD, Student Suspension and Expulsion KG, Community Use of District Facilities KK, Visitors to District Property/Events KKB, Audio and Visual Recording.

Legal Refs: §§ 162.215, 168.201, 171.011, 177.031, 211.181, .185, .188, 537.045, 571.030, .107,

574.085, 610.021, RSMo.

11 C.S.R. 75-17.010-040

2 C.F.R. 200.313

Perry County School District No. 32, Perryville, Missouri