The board believes weapons, other dangerous objects and look-a-likes in school district facilities and at school district-approved events cause material and substantial disruption to the school environment or present a threat to the health and safety of students, employees and visitors on the school district premises or property within the jurisdiction of the school district.

All weapons, dangerous objects and look-a-likes are prohibited to be carried, possessed, transported or otherwise stored on school district property and to school district-approved events.  Exceptions to this policy include weapons carried by the following individuals in performance of their official duties:

• law enforcement;
• military personnel;
• corrections officers;
• individuals approved in writing by the Superintendent,
• students and individuals approved in writing by the Superintendent who are actively engaging in a school district approved firearms safety course, hunter education course or shooting sports activity; and
• School security officers and/or school resource officers in accordance with all applicable laws.

Individuals found to be in violation of this district policy will be required to immediately remove the weapon, dangerous object or look-a-likes from the school district property or event.  Students found to be in violation of this policy or any other board policies related to weapons will be subject to disciplinary proceedings.  Employees found in violation of this policy may be subject to discipline, up to and including termination.

The district may choose to allow designated staff members to carry firearms on school grounds in accordance with all applicable laws and requirements. The identities of staff members so designated will be considered confidential. Designated staff will strictly adhere to all applicable laws, policies and regulations.  Failure to adhere may result in discipline up to and including termination of employment.  The Superintendent will create regulations necessary to carry out this policy.

Note:  The legislature made changes to decriminalize the carrying of firearms on campus by certain individuals if certain circumstances are met.  However, much like creating tobacco-free campuses, schools maintain the authority to choose whether to place additional limitations on the carrying of firearms on district property as needed to protect the health and safety of students and staff

Note: Boards of districts with total enrollment of 8,000 students or more must vote whether to employ or retain a private school security officer or school resource officer to guard each attendance center where students in grades 9-12 regularly attend classes.  If the board decides to do so, the relevant italicized language should be adopted into policy, and the non-relevant language removed.  Districts with total enrollment less than 8,000 students are not required to vote but may choose to do so.

Note: Districts that wish to consider arming staff should work closely with their insurance providers and legal counsel to craft appropriate regulations necessary to fit this option.  Any regulations should be customized to suit the needs of individual districts, and developed closely with input from the same stake holders the district uses to craft their emergency operations plans.

Legal Reference:           18 U.S.C. § 921

                                    Iowa Code §§ 279.8; .84; 280.21B; 483A.27(11), 724 281 I.A.C. 12.3(6)

Cross Reference:           502 Student Rights and Responsibilities

                                    503 Student Discipline

                                    507. Student Health and Well-Being

Approved   October 17,. 2022                Reviewed                      Revised    October 21, 2024