7217 - WEAPONS

Ida Public School District

Bylaws & Policies

7217 - WEAPONS

The Board of Education prohibits visitors from possessing, storing, making, or using a weapon in any setting that is under the control and supervision of the Board including, but not limited to, property leased, owned, or contracted for by the Board, a school-sponsored event, or in a Board-owned vehicle.

The Board has a constitutional and statutory obligation to provide a free and appropriate education to all students who qualify. This includes the obligation to provide a safe and secure learning environment. The presence of dangerous weapons on school property or at school sponsored events, except under very controlled circumstances, creates a potentially dangerous situation for students, staff and visitors, and may trigger precautionary safety responses which disrupt the educational process and learning environment for students.

The Board therefore concludes that prohibiting weapons on school property and at school sponsored events is reasonably related to legitimate educational concerns, including the ability to provide a safe and secure learning and social environment for its students and controlling and minimizing disruptions to the educational process.

Federal law establishes a "Weapon-Free School Zone" that extends 1,000 feet from the boundary of any school property.

The term "weapon" means any object which, in the manner in which it is used, is intended to be used, or is represented, is capable of inflicting serious bodily harm or property damage, as well as endangering the health and safety of persons. Weapons include, but are not limited to, firearms, guns of any type, including spring, air and gas-powered guns, (whether loaded or unloaded), that will expel a BB, pellet, or paint balls knives, razors, clubs, electric weapons, metallic knuckles, martial arts weapons, ammunition, and explosives or any other weapon described in 18 U.S.C. 921.

This prohibition applies regardless of whether the visitor is otherwise authorized by law to possess the weapon, including if the visitor holds a concealed weapons permit. The following are the exceptions to this policy:

	A.	weapons under the control of law enforcement personnel;

	B.	items approved by a principal as part of a class or individual presentation under adult supervision, if used for the purpose of and in the manner approved (working firearms and ammunition shall never be approved);

	C.	theatrical props that do not meet the definition of "weapon" above, used in appropriate settings;

	D.	starter pistols used in appropriate sporting events;

	E.	firearms that are lawfully stored inside a locked vehicle in school parking areas, if the District adopts appropriate safeguards to provide for student safety.

These restrictions shall not apply in the following circumstances to persons who are also properly licensed to carry a concealed weapon:

	A.	A parent or legal guardian of a student of the school may carry a concealed weapon while in a vehicle on school property, if s/he is dropping the student off at the school or picking up the student from the school and any person may carry a concealed weapon solely in the parking lot.

	B.	A county corrections officer, a member of a Sheriff’s posse, a police or sheriffs reserve or auxiliary officer, or a State Department of Corrections parole or corrections officer, a private investigator, a Michigan State Police motor carrier officer or Capitol security officer, a State court judge, a security officer required by the employer to carry a concealed weapon while on the premises, a court officer

	C.	A retired police or law enforcement officer, a retired Federal law enforcement officer, or a retired State court judge.

The Superintendent shall refer a visitor who violates this policy to law enforcement officials and may take any steps necessary to exclude the visitor from Board property and Board-sponsored events.

18 U.S.C. 922
M.C.L. 28.425o, 123.1101, 750.222
20 U.S.C. 4141(g)

Revised 3/14/16