The Board of Education will not tolerate the possession of weapons or other devices designed to inflict serious bodily harm. No student shall, on school property, in any school vehicle, at any interscholastic competition, extracurricular event, or at any other program or activity sponsored by the school district or in which the district is a participant, (regardless of location), bring, transport, possess, handle, carry, use or conceal any firearm, knife or dangerous weapon. Whoever violates this policy shall be subject to discipline, including suspension, expulsion, removal and/or permanent exclusion from school.

Firearm shall mean any weapon (including a starter gun) which 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. "Destructive device" includes any explosive, incendiary or poisonous gas, bomb, grenade, rocket having a propellant charge of more than four ounces, missile having an explosive or incendiary charge of more than one-quarter ounce, mine or device similar to any of the devices described above.

Knife shall mean a weapon or cutting instrument consisting of a blade fastened to a handle; a razor blade; or any similar device (including sharp, metal martial arts weapons such a ninja throwing stars) that is used for, or is readily capable of, causing death or serious bodily injury. Knives which are brought to school for educational purposes and with the express written prior approval of a building administrator are exempt from this provision.

If a student is suspended, expelled, removed or permanently excluded from school for misconduct involving a weapon as defined herein, the Superintendent shall notify the Registrar of Motor Vehicles and the Hamilton County Juvenile Court within two weeks after the discipline is imposed.

This prohibition shall also encompass such actions as look-alike items, false fire alarms, bomb threats, or intentional calls to falsely report a dangerous condition.

This policy shall be implemented through the Code of Conduct/Student Discipline Code, Policy 5610, and Policy 5610.01, and through administrative guidelines.

The Superintendent is authorized to establish instructional programs on the dangers of weapons and the requirement that students immediately report knowledge of dangerous weapons and threats of violence by students and/or staff to the building principal. Such programs will emphasize that failure to report such knowledge may subject the student to discipline up to and including suspension and expulsion from school.

The appropriate law enforcement agency shall be contacted if a dangerous weapon is found or is suspected to be in the possession of a Board employee or a visitor.

R.C. 3313.20, 3313.66, 3313.661, 18 USC 921, 20 USC 8922

November, 1995
Revised 4/23/01