443.6 - DANGEROUS WEAPONS POSSESSION
Dangerous Weapons DirectiveNo one shall possess a dangerous weapon on school premises, except as otherwise specifically provided. According to state law, any person who knowingly possesses a weapon is guilty of a misdemeanor or a felony, depending upon the seriousness of the offense. A student who violates this law is subject to provisions outlined in Chapter 48 of the state statutes, unless jurisdiction is waived.
In addition, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) requires referring the student who is determined to have a weapon in the school and/or on the school premises be referred to the criminal justice or juvenile delinquency system. Also, state law requires the Board expel a pupil from school for a period of not less than one year, "whenever it finds that the pupil, while at school or while under the supervision of a school authority, possessed a firearm."
Definition of Dangerous Weapons
The Board defines dangerous weapon as a firearm, knife, razor, karate stick, metal knuckle, or any other object which, by the manner in which it is used or intended to be used, is capable of inflicting bodily harm.
Weapons shall also be defined as instruments whose original design was non-violent, but which manner of application is taunted in an attempt to inflict bodily harm and/or intimidation. Examples include, but not limited to, belts, combs, pencils, files, compasses, aerosol sprays, scissors, etc.
Therefore, law enforcement officers will be contacted in the event of a violation of this board policy by a student. Furthermore, the student who so violates this board policy will be automatically suspended for a minimum of three days and a period not to exceed five days. If the situation warrants immediate action, school staff should attempt to confiscate the weapon.
Facsimile Weapons
A "facsimile firearm" is defined as any "replica, toy, starter pistol, or other object that bears a reasonable resemblance to or that reasonably can be perceived to be an actual firearm." No student may carry or display a facsimile firearm or facsimile weapon that could reasonably be expected to alarm, intimidate, threaten or terrify another person.
Notification to Parents/Guardians
A good faith effort to notify the parents/guardians of the student from whom a dangerous weapon(s) is taken will be made. Also, the principal will make a good faith effort to notify the parents/guardians listed in district records of a suspension or recommendation of expulsion and shall keep a record either that the parents were so notified or a record of the efforts that were made to contact the parents/guardians.
Exceptions to Policy
The following are three exceptions to this policy:
1. Weapons under the control of law enforcement personnel are permitted;
2. Weapons that are registered and handled in a legal manner for the purpose of education may be authorized by the principal; and
3. Weapons properly registered and handled during the community use of school facilities may be permitted.
REF: Wisconsin State Statute 120.13 (1) (c) 2m, State Statute 941.235, State Statute 941.2965,
State Statute 948.60, State Statute 948.61; Chapter 48; ESEA
CROSS REF: POLICY 832
Adopted: October 15, 1997
Posted: 11/14/2007 12:22:44 pm