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Article II: ADMINISTRATION    Show Full Article
Section 31: M.S.A.D. NO. 71 WEAPONS IN THE SCHOOLS
  In order to promote a safe environment for students and employees, all persons are prohibited from the following conduct at all times on school premises, in any school vehicle, at any school-sponsored activity, or at any time or place if the conduct has an adverse effect on the discipline or welfare of the schools:

A. Possession or use of any weapon. Possession or use of any article commonly used or designed to inflict bodily harm and/or to intimidate other persons. Examples of such articles include, but are not limited to: firearms, ammunition, explosives, “brass” knuckles, switchblades, butterfly knives, chains, clubs and Kung Fu “stars.”

B. Use of any object as a weapon. Use of any object, although not necessarily designed to be a weapon, to inflict or to threaten bodily harm and/or to intimidate, coerce or harass. Examples of such objects include, but are not limited to: belts, other articles of clothing, combs, pencils, files, compasses, scissors, and replicas of weapons.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLEMENTATION PROCEDURES

A. Administrators shall take appropriate action against any individual violating this policy, including but not limited to student disciplinary action (including suspension or referral for expulsion), employee disciplinary action, and referral to law enforcement officials as appropriate.

B. Administrators will confiscate any article described in this policy and, if appropriate, submit it to the appropriate local law enforcement agency.

C. Principals may authorize inspections of student automobiles, clothing, purses, bags, backpacks and other personal belongings when there are reasonable grounds to suspect that the inspection will produce evidence that this policy has been violated.

STUDENT EXPULSION

A. Students who violate this policy may be expelled under Title 20-A M.R.S.A. section 1001(9), which provides in pertinent part that, if found necessary for the peace and usefulness for the school, a School Board shall expel any student:

1. who is deliberately disobedient or deliberately disorderly;

2. for infractions of violence;

3. who possesses on school property a firearm, as defined in Title 17-A M.R.S.A. 2(12-A), without permission of a school official;

4. who, with use of any other dangerous weapon as defined in Title 17-A M.R.S.A. 2(9)(A), intentionally or knowingly causes injury or accompanies use of a weapon with the threat to cause injury.

B. Additionally, as required by 20-A M.R.S.A. 1001(9-A) and the federal Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1994, students who are found to have brought a firearm, as defined in 18 U.S.C.A. 921 et seq., to school shall be expelled by the School Board for a period of not less than one year and deferred to the appropriate local law enforcement agency. As further authorized by those statutes, the Superintendent may exercise his or her discretion to modify this expulsion requirement on a case-by-case basis.

ROLE OF THE SCHOOL STAFF

School personnel will take such action as may in their judgment be appropriate to secure the health and safety of students during any altercation involving violence and/or use of a weapon. Incidents are to be reported immediately to an appropriate administrator.

Legal Reference: 20-A M.R.S.A. 1001(9); 1001 (9-A); 6552
17-A M.R.S.A. 2(9); 2(12) (A)

Adopted: 1/22/96
Reviewed: 9/8/97


  Reviewed: Sep 08, 1997
Adopted: Jan 22, 1996
Addendum
 

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLEMENTATION PROCEDURES



  1. Administrators shall take appropriate action against any individual violating this policy, including but not limited to student disciplinary action (including suspension or referral for expulsion), employee disciplinary action, and referral to law enforcement officials as appropriate.
  2. Administrators will confiscate any article described in this policy and, if appropriate, submit it to the appropriate local law enforcement agency.
  3. Principals may authorize inspections of student automobiles, clothing, purses, bags, backpacks and other personal belongings when there are reasonable grounds to suspect that the inspection will produce evidence that this policy has been violated.
 
 

STUDENT EXPULSION



  1. Students who violate this policy may be expelled under Title 20-A M.R.S.A. section 1001(9), which provides in pertinent part that, if found necessary for the peace and usefulness for the school, a School Board shall expel any student:

    1. who is deliberately disobedient or deliberately disorderly;
    2. for infractions of violence;
    3. who possesses on school property a firearm, as defined in Title 17-A M.R.S.A. 2(12-A), without permission of a school official;
    4. who, with use of any other dangerous weapon as defined in Title 17-A M.R.S.A. 2(9)(A), intentionally or knowingly causes injury or accompanies use of a weapon with the threat to cause injury.


  2. Additionally, as required by 20-A M.R.S.A. 1001(9-A) and the federal Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1994, students who are found to have brought a firearm, as defined in 18 U.S.C.A. 921 et seq., to school shall be expelled by the School Board for a period of not less than one year and deferred to the appropriate local law enforcement agency. As further authorized by those statutes, the Superintendent may exercise his or her discretion to modify this expulsion requirement on a case-by-case basis
 
 

ROLE OF THE SCHOOL STAFF

School personnel will take such action as may in their judgment be appropriate to secure the health and safety of students during any altercation involving violence and/or use of a weapon. Incidents are to be reported immediately to an appropriate administrator