HomeMy WebLinkAboutU-4345 Weapons at SchoolUNIVERSAL U-4345
Bonneville Joint School District No. 93
Universal
WEAPONS AT SCHOOL
1. Purpose Statement
It is the policy of Bonneville Joint School District No. 93 to maintain a safe
and orderly school environment for students, employees, parents/guardians,
volunteers, contractors, visitors, and other members of the public. Firearms,
deadly or dangerous weapons, explosives, and other dangerous objects present
a serious risk to school safety and are prohibited on school property, on school -
provided transportation, and at school-sponsored activities except as specifically
allowed by law or this policy.
2. Scope
This policy applies to all persons on school property, on school-provided
transportation, or at any school-sponsored activity, program, or event, regardless
of location. This includes students, employees, parents/guardians, volunteers,
contractors, visitors, spectators, vendors, Board members, and any other person
present under the supervision, authority, or control of the District.
3. Prohibited Conduct
a. Except as specifically allowed by law or this policy, no person shall use,
possess, control, transfer, carry, store, bring, display, or threaten to use any
firearm, deadly or dangerous weapon, destructive device, explosive, weapon,
look-alike weapon, dangerous instrument, or dangerous object or substance
on school property, on school-provided transportation, or at any school-
sponsored activity, program, or event.
b. This prohibition includes any object or substance that is manufactured, used,
or intended to be used as a weapon, as well as any normally non-dangerous
object or substance when used or intended to be used to threaten, intimidate,
injure, or cause harm to another person.
c. No person shall knowingly assist another person in using, possessing,
controlling, transferring, carrying, storing, bringing, displaying, or threatening
to use any item prohibited by this policy.
UNIVERSAL U-4345
Bonneville Joint School District No. 93
Universal
4. Gun-Free Schools
a. A student who uses, possesses, controls, transfers, carries, or brings a
firearm, or any object that can reasonably be considered to be or look like a
firearm, on school property, on school-provided transportation, or at a school-
sponsored activity shall be expelled for not less than one (1) calendar year.
b. The Board may modify the one-year expulsion requirement on a case-by-
case basis. If the Board modifies the expulsion requirement, a written record
of the case-by-case modification shall be maintained in the District Office.
c. The building administrator or designee shall notify the appropriate law
enforcement agency of any student who brings a firearm to school, onto
school property, onto school-provided transportation, or to a school-
sponsored activity.
d. A student subject to expulsion under this policy shall be entitled to notice and
a hearing before the Board in accordance with Idaho Code and Board policy.
5. Exceptions
a. This policy does not prohibit lawful possession, carrying, or storage of a
firearm or other deadly or dangerous weapon by:
i. Law enforcement personnel;
ii. An adult over eighteen (18) years of age who is not enrolled in a public or
private elementary or secondary school and who has lawful possession of
a firearm or other deadly or dangerous weapon secured and locked in a
vehicle in an unobtrusive, nonthreatening manner;
iii. A person who lawfully possesses a firearm or other deadly or dangerous
weapon in a private vehicle while delivering or picking up minor children,
students, or school employees to or from school or a school activity;
iv. A person carrying a firearm as part of the requirements for a hunter safety
course offered by or approved by the District;
v. A person carrying, storing, or possessing a firearm or other weapon
pursuant to a requirement of law or in compliance with law; or
vi. A person or employee authorized to possess, carry, or store a firearm or
other weapon with advance written permission of the
Superintendent/designee.
UNIVERSAL U-4345
Bonneville Joint School District No. 93
Universal
b. The Board delegates authority to the Superintendent/designee to grant
advance permission for a person or employee to possess, carry, or store a
firearm or other weapon on school property, in a school building, on school-
provided transportation, or at a school-sponsored activity when the
Superintendent/designee determines that the authorization is lawful,
necessary or appropriate for District operations, and subject to conditions
necessary to protect student and staff safety.
c. The Superintendent/designee may approve, deny, limit, condition, or revoke
such authorization at any time.
d. Any authorization granted under this section shall be documented in writing
and shall identify the person authorized, the general scope and duration of
the authorization, and any general location or activity limitations. Specific
safety protocols, security procedures, deployment details, or other operational
information may be maintained separately and shall be treated as confidential
to the extent permitted by Idaho's Public Records Act or other applicable law.
e. Nothing in this policy prevents the Superintendent/designee from authorizing
instructional, ceremonial, law enforcement, or other approved school-related
activities involving weapons when the activity is lawful, directly supervised,
and appropriate safeguards are adopted to protect student and staff safety.
6. Notification and Investigation
a. Any employee who becomes aware of a suspected violation of this policy
shall immediately notify the building administrator/designee or
Superintendent/designee.
b. When a suspected violation involves a student:
i. The student's parent/guardian shall be notified as soon as reasonably
practicable;
ii. The Superintendent/designee shall be notified immediately;
iii. Law enforcement shall be notified when a firearm is involved; and
iv. Law enforcement may be notified when other weapons, threats, safety
risks, or circumstances warrant.
c. When a suspected violation involves an employee, the
Superintendent/designee shall be notified immediately and shall determine
appropriate employment action
UNIVERSAL U-4345
Bonneville Joint School District No. 93
Universal
d. .When a suspected violation involves a visitor, volunteer, contractor,
parent/guardian, spectator, vendor, or other third party, the building
administrator/designee or Superintendent/designee may take immediate
action necessary to protect student and staff safety, including directing the
person to leave school property or the school-sponsored activity and
contacting law enforcement.
e. Any item reasonably believed to be a firearm, weapon, dangerous object,
dangerous substance, explosive, or look-alike weapon shall be secured or
confiscated by school officials or law enforcement, as appropriate.
f. If determined necessary, law enforcement may be requested to conduct or
assist with the investigation.
7. Student Discipline
a. A student who is found to have possessed, used, controlled, transferred,
carried, stored, brought, displayed, or threatened to use a firearm, deadly or
dangerous weapon, destructive device, or explosive shall be suspended
pending a recommendation to the Board for expulsion, unless otherwise
required by law.
b. A student who knowingly assists another person in possessing, using,
controlling, transferring, carrying, storing, bringing, displaying, or threatening
to use any item prohibited by this policy may be suspended pending further
disciplinary action, including a recommendation for expulsion.
c. A student who is found to have possessed, used, controlled, transferred,
carried, stored, brought, displayed, or threatened to use a weapon,
dangerous object or substance, dangerous instrument, or look-alike weapon
shall be subject to disciplinary action, which may include suspension,
recommendation for expulsion, or other corrective action consistent with
Board policy and law.
d. In determining appropriate student disciplinary action, the District may
consider all relevant factors, including but not limited to:
UNIVERSAL U-4345
Bonneville Joint School District No. 93
Universal
i. Requirements of federal and state law;
ii. The nature of the student's conduct;
iii. The type of item involved;
iv. Whether the item was used, displayed, transferred, concealed, or
threatened to be used;
v. The actual or potential risk of harm to students, employees, or others;
vi. The impact on school safety or school operations;
vii. The student's intent, age, and disciplinary history;
viii. The likelihood of a recurring violation; and
ix. Any other relevant circumstances.
8. Students with Disabilities
a. If a student who violates this policy is a student with a disability under the
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) or Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act, the District shall follow all applicable federal and state
special education and disability procedures.
b. When required by law, the District shall determine whether the student's
conduct was a manifestation of the student's disability.
c. If a change of placement is proposed or required, the District shall follow
lawful procedures related to manifestation determinations, interim alternative
educational settings, provision of a free appropriate public education,
procedural safeguards, written notice, and placement decisions.
d. Nothing in this policy shall be interpreted to prevent District personnel from
taking lawful steps necessary to maintain a safe school environment.
9. Employee Discipline
a. An employee who violates this policy may be subject to disciplinary action, up
to and including termination.
b. An employee who violates this policy may also be referred to law enforcement
when required by law or when the circumstances warrant such action.
UNIVERSAL U-4345
Bonneville Joint School District No. 93
Universal
c. Nothing in this policy limits the District's authority to place an employee on
administrative leave, remove an employee from District property, restrict an
employee's access to District property, or take other action necessary to
protect student and staff safety.
10. Visitors, Volunteers, Contractors, and Other Third Parties
a. A visitor, volunteer, contractor, parent/guardian, spectator, vendor, or other
third party who violates this policy may be directed to leave school property or
a school-sponsored activity immediately.
b. The District may prohibit future access to school property or school-
sponsored activities when a violation of this policy creates a safety risk,
disrupts school operations, or violates law or Board policy.
c. The District may refer the matter to law enforcement when required by law or
when the circumstances warrant such action.
11. Search and Seizure
a. District employees may search a student, a student's belongings, a locker,
desk, vehicle, or other area under District control when there is reasonable
suspicion that the student possesses an item prohibited by this policy.
b. District employees may request that a visitor, volunteer, contractor,
parent/guardian, spectator, vendor, or other third party leave school property
or submit to lawful screening or safety procedures when necessary to protect
student and staff safety.
c. Searches shall be conducted in accordance with Board policy and applicable
law.
12. Enrollment After Expulsion from Another District
a. A student who has been expelled from another school district for a weapons
violation and who seeks admission to Bonneville Joint School District No. 93
shall provide written confirmation of the initial date and terms of the expulsion
from the district where the expulsion occurred.
b. The Board may allow enrollment of such student upon reasonable conditions
consistent with law and Board policy.
13. Definitions
UNIVERSAL U-4345
Bonneville Joint School District No. 93
Universal
a. Dangerous Instrument: Anything that, although not specifically designed as a
weapon, is used or intended to be used to cause injury, threaten injury, or
place another person in fear.
b. Dangerous Object or Substance: Any item, object, material, or substance that
could reasonably be used to threaten, intimidate, injure, or cause harm to
another person or to disrupt the educational process.
c. Deadly or Dangerous Weapon: Any weapon as defined by federal or state
law. This term does not include a pocketknife with a blade of less than two
and one-half (2 1/2) inches in length unless the knife is used or intended to be
used to threaten, intimidate, injure, or cause harm.
d. Destructive Device: Any explosive, incendiary, or poison gas, including but
not limited to bombs, grenades, rockets, missiles, mines, or similar devices,
or any combination of parts designed or intended for use in converting any
device into a destructive device.
e. Explosive: Any explosive, incendiary, poison gas, or similar device capable of
causing injury, damage, disruption, or fear of harm.
f. Firearm: Any firearm as defined by federal or state law.
g. Look-Alike Weapon or Facsimile: Any object that a reasonable person could
believe to be a firearm, weapon, explosive, or dangerous object, including but
not limited to replica weapons, toy weapons, airsoft guns, pellet guns, BB
guns, or other similar items.
h. Possess or Possession: Actual or constructive possession, including having
an item on one's person, in clothing, in a backpack, bag, purse, locker, desk,
vehicle, or other area subject to the person's control.
i. School Property: All buildings, facilities, grounds, parking lots, buses, school-
provided transportation, and other property owned, leased, used, or controlled
by the District.
j. School-Sponsored Activity: Any activity, program, event, or function that is
sponsored, supervised, authorized, or supported by the District, regardless of
location.
k. Weapon: Any object, device, or instrument designed as a weapon or capable
of threatening, intimidating, injuring, or causing harm to another person when
used or intended to be used as a weapon.
14. Legal References
UNIVERSAL U-4345
Bonneville Joint School District No. 93
Universal
a. 18 U.S.C. § 921 -- Firearms Definitions
b. 18 U.S.C. § 930 -- Possession of Firearms and Dangerous Weapons in
Federal Facilities
c. 20 U.S.C. § 7961 -- Gun-Free Schools Requirements
d. 29 U.S.C. § 701, et seq. -- Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
e. Idaho Code § 18-3302D -- Possessing Weapons or Firearms on School
Property
f. Idaho Code § 18-3302I -- Threatening Violence on School Grounds
g. Idaho Code § 33-1224 -- Powers and Duties of Teachers
h. Idaho Code § 33-205 -- Denial of School Attendance
i. Idaho Code § 33-512 -- Governance of Schools
j. IDAPA 08.02.03.109.05 -- Special Education
k. IDAPA 08.02.03.160.01.a -- Safe Environment and Discipline
15. Cross References
a. Student Conduct #3285
b. Conduct on School Property #3286, #4300, and #5243
c. Disruption of School Operations #3287 and #4325
d. Drug Free School Zone #3300
e. Gangs and Gang Activity #3310
f. Assault and Battery #3315
g. Student Discipline #3330
h. Corrective Actions and Punishment #3340
i. Student Suspension #3355
j. Student Expulsion / Denial of Attendance #3360
k. Searches and Seizure #3370
UNIVERSAL U-4345
Bonneville Joint School District No. 93
Universal
l. School Visitations #4312
m. Spectator Conduct and Sportsmanship for Athletic and Co-Curricular Events
#4330
n. Disruptive Employee or Public Conduct #4320 and #5245
o. Abuse of School Property #4360, #3325, and #5327
p. Professional Conduct #5240
16. Adoption and Review
Adopted:09-09-2026
Reviewed:
Revised:
Prior Policies Replaced: 3335, 3335P, 4340, and 5247