The Board is committed to providing the students of the District with an educational environment which is free of the dangers of firearms, knives and other dangerous weapons in the schools.

The definition of a firearm shall include any weapon (including a starter, air, or compression gun) which will or is designed to or may readily be converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive; the frame or receiver of any such weapon; any firearm muffler or firearm silencer; or any destructive device (as defined in 18 U.S.C.A. Sections 921-924.), which includes but is not limited to any explosive, incendiary, or poisonous gas: bomb, grenade, or rocket having a propellant charge or more than four (4) ounces, missile having an explosive or incendiary charge of more than one-quarter (1/4) ounce, mine or device similar to any of the devices described above.

Students are prohibited from bringing a firearm on school property, in a school vehicle or to any school-sponsored activity. If a student brings a firearm on school property, in a school vehicle or to any school-sponsored activity, the Superintendent shall expel this student from school for a period of one (1) calendar year. Any such expulsion shall extend, as necessary, into the school year following the school year in which the incident occurred. The Superintendent may reduce this requirement on case-by-case basis in accordance with State law.

Students are also prohibited from bringing knives on school property, in a school vehicle or to any school-sponsored activity. The definition of a knife includes, but is not limited to a cutting instrument consisting of a sharp blade fastened to a handle. If a student brings a knife on school property, in a school vehicle or to any school-sponsored activity, the Superintendent may, if authorized by the Board, expel the student from school, with the same expulsion implications as noted above.

The Board may extend the right to expel a student for reasons beyond the possession of a firearm or knife. Students who possess or use other dangerous weapons, which are defined but not limited to metal knuckles, straight razors, explosives, laser pointers or beams, noxious irritation or poisonous gases, poisons, drugs or other items possessed with the intent to use, sell, harm, threaten or harass students, staff members, parents or community members, may be subject to expulsion.

A student may be expelled for up to one (1) year for firearm-related or knife-related incidents occurring off school property while at a school-sponsored interscholastic competition, extracurricular event or other school-sponsored activity.

A student suspended, expelled, removed or permanently excluded from school for misconduct involving a firearm or knife also loses his/her driving privileges. The District must notify the county registrar and juvenile judge within two (2) weeks of the suspension, expulsion or permanent exclusion.

The Board prohibits students from knowingly possessing an object on school premises, in a school or a school building, at a school activity or on a school bus if both of the following apply.

As defined by State law and for purposes of this policy, an "object that is indistinguishable from a firearm" means an object made, constructed or altered so that, to a reasonable person without specialized training in firearms, the object appears to be a firearm.

Students found in violation of sections A and B above may be reported to the local police authority and may be prosecuted under State criminal statutes, as well as disciplined in accordance with the provisions of the District’s Student Code of Conduct and State law.

The Superintendent is authorized to expel a student from school for a period not to exceed one (1) year for making a bomb threat to a school building, or to any premises at which a school activity is occurring at the time of the threat. Any expulsion under this division extends, as necessary, into the school year following the school year in which the incident that gives rise to the expulsion takes place.

R.C. 3313.20, 3313.66, 3313.661
18 U.S.C. 921, 20 U.S.C. 8922, 20 U.S.C. 7151

Revised 6/13/05