MJUSD
DIVISION 5000
STUDENTS
WEAPONS AND DANGEROUS INSTRUMENTS
The Governing Board desires students and staff to be free from the danger presented by firearms and other weapons and recognizes that they have the right to a safe and secure campus free from psychological and physical harm.
Possession of Weapons
The Board prohibits any person other than authorized law enforcement or security personnel from possessing weapons, imitation firearms, or dangerous instruments of any kind in school buildings, on school grounds or buses, at school-related or school-sponsored activities away from school, or while going to or coming from school.
Unless he/she has obtained prior written permission as specified below, any student who is determined to have brought a firearm to school or possessed a firearm at school, as verified by a school employee, shall be expelled for not less than one year, except that the Board may set an earlier date for readmission on a case-by-case basis, in accordance with Board policy and administrative regulation. (Education Code 48915; 20 USC 7151)
Students possessing or threatening others with any weapon, dangerous instrument, or imitation firearm are subject to suspension and/or expulsion in accordance with law, Board policy, and administrative regulations.
Under the power granted to the Board to maintain order and discipline in the schools and to protect the safety of students, staff, and the public, any school employee is authorized to confiscate a weapon, dangerous instrument, or imitation firearm from any person on school grounds, on a school bus or at a school-sponsored activity.
The principal or designee shall notify law enforcement authorities when any student possesses a weapon without permission or commits any act of assault with a firearm or other weapon. (Education Code 48902; Penal Code 245, 626.9, 626.10; 20 USC 7151)
Advance Permission for Possession of a Firearm for Educational Use
A student who desires to possess or transport a firearm or imitation firearm on school grounds for an educational purpose shall request prior permission from the principal at least five school days in advance of the planned possession. The student's parent/guardian shall provide written permission explaining the planned use of the weapon and the duration. The student shall also submit a written explanation from the staff person responsible for the school-sponsored activity or class.
On a case-by-case basis, the principal shall determine whether to grant permission for such possession when necessary for a school-sponsored activity or class or as part of the educational program. Factors that shall be considered include, but are not limited to, the planned use of the weapon, the duration and location of the planned use, whether an audience is expected, and any perceived adverse effects to the safety and well-being of students or staff. If the principal grants such permission, he/she shall provide the student and staff person with a written explanation regarding any limitations and the permissible duration of the student's possession.
The principal and/or a staff member with knowledge of firearm safety shall inspect the weapon to ensure that necessary safety precautions have been taken, including inspection to ensure that no live ammunition is present. The firearm shall be stored in a locked vehicle or in an appropriate, locked container before and after the educational activity.
A student granted permission to possess a firearm may be suspended and/or expelled if he/she possesses or uses the weapon inappropriately.
Possession of Pepper Spray
The Board recognizes that students age sixteen (16) or older may legally possess tear gas or tear gas weapons such as pepper spray for the purpose of self-defense. However, to prevent potential misuse that may harm students or staff, students are prohibited from carrying such items on campus or at school activities.
Reporting of Dangerous Objects
The Board encourages students to promptly report the presence of weapons, injurious objects, or other suspicious activity to school authorities. The identity of a student who reports such activity shall remain confidential to the extent permitted by law.
The Superintendent or designee shall develop strategies designed to facilitate student reporting of the presence of injurious objects on school grounds, such as tip hotlines, electronic transmissions, or other methods that preserve the student's anonymity. Incident reports and records shall not identify the student who reported the possession. The strategy shall also provide a method of informing staff, students, and parents/guardians that students who report the presence of injurious objects on school campuses are to be protected and their identity shielded.
Legal Reference:
Education Code
35291 Governing board to prescribe rules for the government and discipline of the schools
48900 Grounds for suspension/expulsion
48902 Notification of law enforcement authorities
48915 Required recommendation for expulsions
48916 Readmission
49330-49335 Injurious objects
Penal Code
245 Assault with deadly weapon
417.4 Imitation firearm; drawing or exhibiting
626.9 Gun-Free School Zone Act of 1995
626.10 Dirks, daggers, knives, razor or stun gun; bringing or possessing in school
653k Soliciting a minor to commit certain felonies
12001 Control of deadly weapons
12020-12036 Unlawful carrying and possession of concealed weapons
12220 Unauthorized possession of a machine gun
12401-12404 Tear gas
12550-12556 BB devices and imitation firearms
United States Code, Title 20
6301-7941 No Child Left Behind Act, especially:
7151 Gun-Free Schools Act
Management Resources:
CSBA Publications
911: A Manual for Schools and the Media During a Campus Crisis, 2001
Protecting Our Schools: Governing Board Strategies to Combat School Violence, 1999
California Department of Education Communications
0401.01 Protecting Student Identification in Reporting Injurious Objects
Web Sites
CSBA: http://www.csba.org
California Attorney General's Crime and Violence Prevention Center: http://www.safestate.org
California Department of Education, Safe Schools: http://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/ss
National Alliance for Safe Schools: http://www.safeschools.org
National School Safety Center: http:/ www.schoolsafety.us
U.S. Dept. of Education, Office of Safe and Drug Free Schools: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osdfs/index.html
First Reading: 1/14/09
Governing Board Adoption: 2/11/09