218.1-AR. Weapons

The possession or use of any weapon in a school related setting is among the most serious of offenses that can be committed by any student. It is an egregious violation of the individual responsibility required of students in the Student Code of Conduct, and it is a threat to the maintenance of a positive learning environment and the preservation of personal health, safety and welfare that is required in all schools.

Therefore, the Board of School Directors of the School District of Springfield Township adopts and approves the following procedures regarding the possession or use of weapons on school property, at any school-sponsored activity, or on any public conveyance providing transportation to the school or any school sponsored activity:

1. Any student who is determined to be in possession of a weapon in a school related setting, as described above, shall be expelled from the school rolls for a period of not less than one (1) year.
2. The possession or use of any weapon is a Level IV infraction under the Student Code of Conduct. This requires the following:
   1. Immediate referral to the building level administrator followed by immediate notification of the Superintendent.
   2. Immediate suspension from school for a period of up to 10 days and notification of parents or guardian, followed by a parent conference and an informal hearing before the Principal.
   3. Notification of the police department and a recommendation for pressing of charges by police officials, following dialogue with school personnel about the events surrounding the possession of a weapon.
   4. A formal hearing before the Superintendent within ten days of the incident, with a requirement that the student and parents or guardian be present at such a hearing.
   5. A recommendation to the Board of School Directors from the Superintendent for expulsion of the student.
   6. The scheduling of an expulsion hearing before the Board of School Directors, in a timely and expeditious manner, at which time the student shall be entitled to counsel and representation. A court reporter will be present to record the full hearing, and the student's due process rights will be carefully protected. The decision as to the hearing being open or closed will reside with the student and his/her family.
   7. A decision by the Board on the expulsion within 30 days of the hearing and an action on the expulsion recommendation at a public meeting.
3. The Superintendent may recommend discipline short of expulsion on a case-by-case basis.
4. The Superintendent shall, in the case of identified exceptional students, take all steps necessary to comply with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C. Sec. 1400 et seq, as well as the regulations regarding disciplinary changes in placement of special education students set forth in 22 Pa. Code Sec. 14.35.
5. The provisions of this policy shall not apply to a weapon being used by an individual participating in an educational program approved by the school district.
6. Nothing in this policy should be construed as limiting the authority or duty of the school district to make an alternative assignment or to provide alternative educational services during the period of expulsion.
7. The Superintendent or his/her designee shall require a sworn statement or affirmation from a parent, guardian or other person having control or charge of a student, upon registration, stating whether or not the student was previously suspended or expelled from any public or private school in Pennsylvania or any other state for an offense involving weapons.
8. In the case of student transfers to the school district, the district shall require the sending district to transmit a certified copy of the student's disciplinary record. The sending district has ten (10) days from receipt of the request to supply this record.
9. In the case of student transfers from the school district, the district shall send to the receiving district, upon request, a certified copy of the student's disciplinary record within ten (10) days from receipt of the request to supply this record.
10. The Superintendent or a designee shall develop a memorandum of understanding with local law enforcement officials that sets forth procedures to be followed when an incident involving an act of violence or possession of a weapon by any person occurs on school property.
11. The reporting of violations to local law enforcement officials and the Department of Education as well as the maintenance of records and the parental registration statements shall be in compliance with 24 P.S. 13-1317.2 and the Safe Schools Basic Education Circular (BEC) of July, 1996 which explains the responsibilities of school districts under Act 26 of 1995. These include:
    1. Reporting all incidents related to suspension or expulsion of any student for possession of a weapon to the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
    2. Reporting possession of any weapon or any act of violence
       by any person on school property to the Office of Safe
       Schools on the designated form twice per year.