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Prohibition of Dangerous Materials on District Property
New Policy: 8-14-13
Philosophy
In order to enhance the safety and security of students, patrons, personnel, and property, the Board of Education directs the Superintendent and school administration to maintain Emergency Preparedness/Safety Plans in accordance with Utah State Law and comply with the requirements of this Policy.
Definition
Dangerous Materials are, but not limited to, the following:
any knife, weapon, explosive, firework, flammable substances, dangerous chemicals, mace, pepper spray, tazers, martial-arts weapons; or any device, instrument, material, or substance, animate or inanimate, that is used for, or is readily capable of, causing death, serious bodily injury or destruction of property. It also includes any firearm: pistol, revolver, shotgun, sawed-off shotgun, rifle or sawed-off rifle, or any device that could be used as a dangerous weapon from which is expelled a projectile by action of an explosive. This also includes any replica or facsimile of any of the above, regardless of intent and whether functional or nonfunctional.
Policy
Although community safety and security are responsibilities of State and local law enforcement agencies, the Board believes that school safety and security will be best realized when the schools throughout the District work in harmony with other law enforcement agencies. The focus of the School Resource Officers (SRO) shall be to enhance safety and security for children and personnel at school and work. The SRO's, in conjunction with other law enforcement agencies, and in consultation with the Superintendent and/or school administration, shall assist in making safety recommendations and developing comprehensive Emergency Preparedness/Safety Plans that include annual, ongoing education, drills and training for school personnel and students.
The purpose of this Policy is to designate South Sanpete District Schools and property as zones free of dangerous materials. This Policy establishes standards for the prohibition and authorization of dangerous materials on District property or at District activities.
A. Standards:
1. Prohibition of Dangerous Materials
No District employee, student, or any other person, shall possess a firearm, weapon,
explosive, flammable material, or other material dangerous to persons or property on
or about school premises or other District buildings or property.
2. Authorization of Dangerous Materials
a. Building administrators are responsible for the authorization of dangerous materials
within their respective schools and school-related functions and activities.
b. Exceptions to this Policy are as follows:
i. law enforcement personnel and SRO's;
ii. dangerous materials used for authorized purposes in connection with a lawful
activity; or
iii. items or material being used in connection with a lawful, approved activity
and is in the possession or under the control of the person responsible for its
possession or use (e.g. chemicals in a chemistry class, knives in a family and
consumer science class).
3. Notification of Prohibition
Building administrators shall be responsible for disseminating all or part of this Policy to
employees and patrons annually.
4. Violations
Persons who violate this Policy shall be referred to appropriate law- enforcement agencies. In
addition, students shall be subject to corrective action and disciplinary action as outlined in the
District's Safe School Policy. Employees shall be subject to disciplinary action as outlined in State
and Federal Law and District policies.
5. Concealed Weapons
State Law contemplates the issuance of a "permit to carry a concealed firearm for lawful self
defense" (Utah Code 53-5-704). The Board recognizes the Legislature has created a statutory
exception to the Board's prohibition regarding dangerous materials.
State Law defines a "concealed dangerous weapon" as one that is "covered, hidden, or secreted
in a manner that the public would not be aware of its presence and is readily accessible for
immediate use."
(Utah Code 76-10-501(3)(a) (i-ii).
a. The District does not allow, give permission for, or otherwise condone any person's decision to
carry, use, or threaten the use of a weapon. Any and all demands, liabilities, claims,
damages, actions, or proceedings in law or equity, including attorney's fees and costs of suit
relating to, or arising out of, a person's decision to carry, use, or threaten the use of a
weapon shall be the sole responsibility of that person without any recourse to, or liability
protection from or through, the District.
b. Employees Responsibilities
i. With the exception of police officers and an SRO, an employee's decision to carry, use, or
threaten the use of a weapon is unequivocally outside the scope of the employee's
employment.
ii. With the exception of police officers and an SRO, employees who carry a concealed,
dangerous weapon may not use District property to cover, hide, or secret a dangerous
weapon anywhere other than readily accessible for immediate use. Employees who violate
this directive shall be subject to disciplinary action that may include termination.
iii. An employee's rights relating to freedom of speech do not include discussion regarding an
employee's carrying of a firearm or holding a permit to do so while the employee is acting
in the employee's official capacity or during school hours or activities when students are
present. Such discussion constitutes improper conduct.