The Board of Education recognizes that the presence of weapons in school not only creates unacceptable risks of injury or death, but also creates a climate that undermines the educational purposes of the schools. Accordingly, it is the policy of the Board of Education to forbid the possession, custody, and use of weapons by unauthorized persons in or around school property.
In furtherance of this purpose, it is every student's duty to ensure that he or she does not possess weapons at school. This duty extends to the responsibility to ensure that all of a student's possessions are free of weapons at school. This includes vehicles driven onto school property regardless of ownership of the vehicle.

This policy is enacted to implement the requirements of the federal Gun -Free Schools Act, 20 U.S.C. 8921 (a) (1), and it is the intention of the Board that it be interpreted to conform to provisions of applicable federal and state law.

Definitions:
Weapon: For purposes of this policy, a "weapon" is any firearm, any knife, any explosive device, or any other objects (even if manufactured for a nonviolent purpose), that has a potentially violent use, or any "look-a-like" object that resembles an object that has a potentially violent use, if, under the surrounding circumstances, the purpose of keeping or carrying the object is for use, or threat of use, as a weapon.

Firearm: For purposes of this policy, and for purposes of compliance with the federal Gun-Free Schools Act, a "firearm" is defined as any weapon, including a starter gun, which will or is designed to or may readily be converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive; the frame or receiver of any such weapon; any firearm muffler or firearm silencer; or any destructive device.

Prohibitions: It is the policy of the Board that no student shall bring a weapon into a school zone, nor carry or keep any weapon in a school zone or while attending or participating in any school activity, including during transportation to or from such activity.

Enforcement:
A. This policy shall be enforced according to the Board's Student Search and Seizure Policy. Disciplinary actions pursuant to this policy shall follow the procedures prescribed by the State Board of Education Regulation Section 6.11.2.1, as amended, and the policies of the district.

B. In addition to penalties imposed by Board policy, the District may, after consideration of the surrounding circumstances, refer to the appropriate law enforcement authority any student who brings a weapon to a school or school-sponsored activity. Any student who brings a firearm to a school-sponsored activity will be referred to the appropriate law enforcement authority.

Penalties for Violations:
A. Any student found to be in violation of this policy shall be subject to discipline, including short-term, in or out of school suspension not to exceed ten days, long-term suspension, and expulsion.

B. In compliance with the federal and state Gun Free Schools Acts, any student found to be in violation of this policy due to a knowing possession of a firearm, as defined in this policy, shall, at a minimum, be expelled from school for a period of not less than one year, provided that the Superintendent or the Board of Education may modify such penalty in appropriate cases at their discretion.

C. This policy shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

(1) In accordance with the provisions of 20 U.S.C. § 1415e (3) (B) of the IDEA, a child with a disability who is determined to have brought a weapon to school under the jurisdiction of the School Board may be placed in an interim alternative educational setting as specified by the IEP team.

(2) If the parent or guardian requests a due process hearing, the child shall remain in the alternative educational setting during the pendency of such proceedings, unless the parents and school officials agree otherwise.

See policies 336

Rio Rancho Public Schools
Adopted: February 13, 1995
Revised: March 13, 1995
Revised: September 9, 1996
Revised: August 9, 1999
Revised: December 17, 2001