Lewisburg Area School District Policies	Printable version
218.1 Weapons The Board recognizes the importance of a safe school environment. Possession of weapons, weapon look-alikes, and/or replicas of weapons in the school environment is a threat to the safety of students and staff and is prohibited by law. Weapon - the term shall include but not be limited to any knife, cutting instrument, cutting tool; nunchaku stick; brass or metal knuckles; firearm including handgun, shotgun, rifle, BB or pellet gun; chemical agent; explosive device; and any other tool, instrument or implement capable of inflicting serious bodily injury. Weapon look-alikes - any instrument or implement designed to look like a weapon. Replicas of weapons - a reproduction or copy of a weapon and as such is a weapon. Possession - ownership, control, or the ability to exercise control over an item, e.g. an item is stored on the person of a student, in the student’s personal possessions, in a backpack, a vehicle, or in the student’s locker. This policy shall not apply to a tool, implement or instrument when such tool, implement or instrument is being used as part of a school-approved program by an individual who is participating in the program nor to a weapon in the possession of or under the control of law enforcement and/or armed services personnel. The Board prohibits possession of weapons, weapon look-alikes and/or replicas of weapons in any school district building; on school property; at any school-sponsored activity, event, or function, regardless of location; in any public conveyance providing transportation to or from school or a school-sponsored activity, event, or function; or while the student is coming to or from school. The Board shall expel for a period of not less than one (1) year any student who knowingly violates this weapons policy. Such expulsion shall be given in conformance with formal due process proceedings required by law and Board policy. The Superintendent may recommend discipline short of expulsion on a case-by-case basis. 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. The administration or designee shall react promptly to information and knowledge concerning weapons on school property. Such action shall be in compliance with state law and regulation and with the procedures set forth in the memorandum of understanding with local law enforcement officials and the district’s emergency preparedness plan. The administration 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. The Superintendent shall be notified of all referrals to law enforcement. The administration 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 administration 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 administration or designee shall document attempts made to reach the parent/guardian. In accordance with state law, the Superintendent shall annually report all incidents involving possession of a weapon to the Office for Safe Schools on the required form. 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. An exception to this policy may be made by the Superintendent, who shall prescribe special conditions or administrative regulations to be followed. 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. Transfer Students 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. References: School Code – 24 P.S. Sec. 1301-A, 1302.1-A, 1303-A, 1317.2 State Board of Education Regulations – 22 PA Code Sec. 10.2, 10.21, 10.23, 10.25, 403.1 Possession of Weapon on School Property – 18 Pa. C.S.A. Sec. 912 Gun Control Act – 18 U.S.C. Sec. 921, 922 Individuals With Disabilities Education Act – 20 U.S.C. Sec. 1400 et seq. No Child Left Behind Act – 20 U.S.C. Sec. 7114 Gun-Free Schools Act – 20 U.S.C. Sec. 7151 Individuals With Disabilities Education Act, Title 34, Code of Federal Regulations – 34 CFR Part 300 Board Policy – 103.1, 113.1, 113.2, 218, 233, 805, 805.1