502.8 - Weapons

The Linn-Mar Community School District Board of Education believes weapons, other dangerous objects, and look-alikes in school district facilities cause material and substantial disruption to the school environment and present a threat to the health and safety of students, employees, and visitors on district premises or property within the jurisdiction of the school district. School district facilities are not an appropriate place for weapons, dangerous objects, and look-alikes.

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

  1. Law enforcement officials;
  2. Military personnel;
  3. Corrections officers;
  4. Individuals approved in writing by the superintendent; and
  5. Student and individuals approved in writing by the superintendent who are actively engaging in a district-approved firearms safety course, hunter education course, or shooting sports activity.

All weapons, other dangerous objects, and look-alikes will be taken from students and others who bring them onto district property or onto property within the jurisdiction of the school district or from students who are within the control of the school district.

Parents of students found to possess weapons, dangerous objects, or look-alikes on school property will be notified of the incident. Possession or confiscation of weapons, dangerous objects, or look-alikes will be reported to law enforcement officials and the student will be subject to disciplinary action, including suspension or expulsion.

Students bringing firearms to school will be expelled for not less than 12 months. The superintendent will have the authority to recommend this expulsion requirement be modified for students on a case-by-case basis. For purposes of this portion of the policy, the term “firearm” includes, but is not limited to, any weapon which is designed to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive; the frame or receiver of any such weapon; a muffler or silencer for such a weapon; any explosive, incendiary, or poisonous gas; or otherwise defined by applicable law.

The superintendent [or designee] may develop the administrative process or procedures to implement this policy.

Adopted: 12/94
Reviewed: 5/11; 7/13; 10/14; 1/15; 10/17; 9/20; 10/23
Revised: 12/16; 9/21
Related Policy: 502.1; 502.1-R; 502.2; 502.2-R; 502.8-R
Legal Reference (Code of Iowa): §§ 279.8; 280.21B; 483A.27(11); 724; 281 IAC 12.3(6)
IASB Reference: 502.06; 905.03
Mandatory Policy

502.8-R - Regulations Regarding Weapons

For the purposes of Policy 502.8 - Weapons, the following definitions are to be used by district officials and administrators in the administration of the policy:

In the Linn-Mar Community School District weapons are defined as any dangerous objects which cause material and substantial disruption to the school environment or present a threat or perceived threat to the health and safety of students, employees, and visitors on district premises or property within the jurisdiction of the school district. Although not an all-inclusive list, the following are examples of weapons: knives, clubs, brass knuckles, look-alike weapons, and look-alike firearms.

Firearms is defined as:

  1. any weapon (including a starter gun) which will, is designed to, or may readily be converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive;
  2. the frame or receiver of any such weapon;
  3. any firearm muffler or firearm silencer, or
  4. any destructive device.

Destructive Device means:

  1. 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 ¼ ounce;
    • mine; or
    • device similar to any of the devices described in the preceding clauses.
  2. Any type of weapon by whatever name known which will, or which may be readily converted to, expel a projectile by the action of an explosive or other propellant and which has any barrel with a bore of more than one-half inch diameter.
  3. Any combination of parts either designed or intended for use in converting any device into any destructive device described in subparagraph (1) or (2) and from which a destructive device may be readily assembled.

Adopted: 12/94
Reviewed: 5/11; 7/13; 10/14; 12/16; 10/17; 9/20; 10/23
Revised: 1/15
Related Policy: 502.1; 502.1-R; 502.2; 502.2-R; 502.8-R
Legal Reference (Code of Iowa): §§ 279.8; 280.21B; 483A.27(11); 724; 281 IAC 12.3(6)
IASB Reference: 502.06; 905.03