The Board recognizes that the harm done by the presence and activities of gangs in the public schools exceeds the immediate consequences of such activities such as violence and destruction of property.  Gang activities also create an atmosphere of intimidation in the entire school community.  Both the immediate consequences of gang activity and the secondary effects are disruptive and obstructive of the process of education and school activities.

It is therefore the policy of the Board of Education that gangs and gang activities are prohibited in the Rio Rancho Public Schools, according to the following:

A. Definition:  
For purposes of this policy a "gang" is any group of two or more persons whose purposes include the commission of illegal acts,  or acts in violation of disciplinary rules of the school district.  “Gang related activity” includes but is not limited to the prohibited conduct set forth below.

B. Prohibitions:  
No student on or about school property or at any school activity shall:

1. Wear, possess, use, distribute, display, or  sell any clothing, jewelry, emblem, badge, symbol, sign or other items that evidences or reflects membership in or affiliation with any gang;
2. Engage in any act, either verbal or nonverbal, including gestures or handshakes, showing membership or affiliation with any gang.
3. Engage in any act in furtherance of the interests of any gang or gang activity, including, but not limited to:

   a. soliciting membership in, or affiliation with, any gang;
   b. soliciting any person to pay for "protection," or threatening any person, explicitly or implicitly, with violence or with any other  illegal or prohibited act;
   c. painting, writing, or otherwise inscribing gang-related graffiti, messages, symbols, or signs, on school property;
   d. engaging in violence, extortion, or any other illegal act or other violation of school policy;
   e. soliciting any person to engage in physical violence against any other person.

C. Application and Enforcement:

1. In determining, as part of the application and enforcement of this policy, whether acts, conduct, or activities are gang related, school officials are encouraged to exercise discretion and judgment based upon current circumstances in their schools, neighborhoods, and areas.
2. The removal of gang-related graffiti shall be a priority in maintenance of school property.  All such graffiti on school property shall be removed or covered within twenty-four (24) hours of its first appearance to school officials, or as soon thereafter as possible, unless additional time is needed to obtain replacements for damaged items.
3. School officials should also encourage private property owners to promptly remove or cover gang-related graffiti on private property in school neighborhoods.
4. School officials are strongly encouraged to work closely with local law  enforcement officials in controlling gang-related activities.  Local law enforcement can provide school officials with information regarding gang-related activities in the area, including names and characteristics of local gangs.
5. The superintendent, in consultation with the appropriate building principals,  should report instances of gang-related criminal acts or acts of serious disruption to local law-enforcement authorities for further action.

D. Violations of Policy:  
Students who violate this policy shall be subject to the full range of  school disciplinary measures, in addition to applicable criminal and civil penalties.

See policies 348, 336-3 forward

Rio Rancho Public Schools
Adopted: June 27, 1994
Revised:  August 9, 1999