503.3 Weapons

WEAPON

The Decorah Community School District believes that students and employees deserve to learn and work in a safe and healthy environment.  Weapons and other dangerous objects in the school district facilities cause material and substantial disruption to the school environment and present a threat to the health and safety of students, employees, and visitors on the school district premises or property.

A "dangerous weapon" is any device or instrument designed primarily for use in inflicting death or injury, and when used in its designed manner is capable of inflicting death.  It is also any sort of instrument or device which is actually used in such a way as to indicate the user intended to inflict death or serious injury, and when so used is capable of inflicting death.  Dangerous weapons include, but are not limited to: any offensive weapon, pistol, revolver, or other firearm, dagger, razor, stiletto metal knuckles, knives of all types, BB guns, explosives (including fireworks), or other chemicals, and simulated or “look alike” weapons, including toys.  The item need not be illegal to possess under the criminal law to constitute a “weapon” under this policy.  Students in possession of these will be subject to disciplinary action, including suspension or expulsion.

Weapons and other dangerous objects shall be taken from students who bring them onto the school district property or onto property within the jurisdiction of the school district or from students who are within the control of the school district.

Parents of students found to possess a weapon or dangerous object on school property shall be notified of the incident.  Confiscation of weapons or dangerous objects shall be reported to the law enforcement officials, and the student will be subject to disciplinary action including suspension or expulsion.

Students bringing a firearm to school shall be expelled for not less than twelve months.  The superintendent shall have the authority to recommend this expulsion requirement be modified for a student on a case-by-case basis.  For purposes of this portion of this policy, the term "firearm" includes any weapon which is designed to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive, the frame or receiver of any such weapon, a muffler or silencer for such a weapon, or any explosive, incendiary, or poisonous gas.

Weapons under the control of law enforcement officials shall be exempt from this policy.  The principal may allow authorized persons to display weapons or other dangerous objects for educational purposes.  Such a display shall also be exempt from this policy.  The superintendent, in conjunction with the principal, may develop administrative regulations regarding this policy.

 

Date of Last Review:  October 14, 2019

 

Date of Revision:

October 14, 2019 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Legal References:

20 U.S.C. §1415; 123.47B, Chapter 124, 279.8, 279.8A, 279.9, 279.9A, 279.9B, 279.58, 279.66, 280.3, 280.8, 280.9B, 280.14, 280.17A, 280.17B, 280.21, 280.21B, 280.22, 280.24, 280.25, 280.26, 282.3, 282.4, 282.5, 285.10, Chapter 287, 299.1, 299.1A, 299.1B, 299.8, 299.9, 708.1, 724.4A, 724.4B, Code of Iowa; 281 I.A.C. Chapters 6, 12, 36, 41, 102, 103                         

 

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DECORAH COMMUNITY SCHOOL BOARD OF DIRECTORS