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Weapons Policy

Regulation of Dangerous Weapons on School Premises

Overview

It is a violation of district policy and state law for any person to carry a firearm or dangerous weapon on school premises, school‑provided transportation, or areas of other facilities being used exclusively for school activities.

Dangerous weapons include but are not limited to firearms, slung shots, sand clubs, metal knuckles, daggers, dirks, spring blade knives, nun‑chu‑ka sticks, throwing stars, air guns, stun guns, and devices intended to injure a person by an electric shock.

The superintendent is directed to see that all school facilities post “Gun‑Free Zone” signs, and that all violations of this policy and RCW 9.41.280 are reported annually to the superintendent of Public Instruction.
Any student determined to have carried a firearm on school premises shall be expelled for not less than one year. The superintendent may modify this expulsion on a case‑by‑case basis.

The district may suspend or expel a student for up to one year if the student acts with malice and displays an instrument that appears to be a firearm.

Policy 4315 – Weapons Regulation of Dangerous Weapons on School Premises It is a violation of district policy and state law for any person to carry a firearm or dangerous weapon on school premises, school‑provided transportation, or areas of facilities being used exclusively for school activities. Dangerous weapons include, but are not limited to, firearms, slung shots, sand clubs, metal knuckles, daggers, dirks, spring blade knives, nun‑chaku sticks, throwing stars, air guns, stun guns, and devices intended to injure a person by electric shock. The Superintendent is directed to ensure that all school facilities post Gun‑Free Zone signs and that all violations of this policy and RCW 9.41.280 are reported annually to the Superintendent of Public Instruction. The following persons may carry firearms into school buildings, as necessary. Students engaged in these activities are restricted to the possession of rifles on school premises. 1. Persons engaged in military, law enforcement, or school district security activities 2. Persons involved in a school‑authorized convention, showing, demonstration, lecture, or firearm safety course 3. Persons competing in school‑authorized firearm or air gun competitions 4. Federal, state, or local law enforcement officers The following persons over eighteen years of age and not enrolled as students may have firearms in their possession on school property outside school buildings. 1. Persons with concealed weapons permits issued pursuant to RCW 9.41.070 who are picking up or dropping off students 2. Persons conducting legitimate business at the school who are in lawful possession of a firearm or dangerous weapon if the weapon is secured within an attended vehicle, is unloaded and secured in a vehicle, or is concealed from view in a locked, unattended vehicle The district may suspend or expel a student for up to one year if the student acts with malice, as defined under RCW 9A.04.110, and displays an instrument that appears to be a firearm on school premises, school‑provided transportation, or areas of facilities being used exclusively for school activities. School officials shall notify the student’s parent or guardian and the appropriate law enforcement agency of known or suspected violations of this policy. Students who violate this policy shall be subject to discipline, including a one‑year expulsion for a violation involving a firearm. The Superintendent may modify the one‑year expulsion on a case‑by‑case basis as permitted by law. Adopted: April 11, 2012 Revised: February 21, 2020 Legal References: RCW 28A.600.420 – Firearms on school premises, transportation, or facilities RCW 9.41.280 – Possession of dangerous weapons on school facilities RCW 9.41.070 – Concealed pistol license RCW 9.41.010 – Definitions RCW 9A.04.110 – Definitions (malice) RCW 9A.16.020 – Use of force – when lawful RCW 9.91.160 – Personal protection spray devices 18 U.S.C. § 921 – Firearm defined 20 U.S.C. § 8921 – Gun‑Free Schools Act of 1994 Procedure 4315P – Regulation of Dangerous Weapons on School Property It is the policy of the Wa He Lut Indian School Board that district programs promote and support student access to instruction while maintaining a welcoming, supportive, safe, and healthy environment. All students are prohibited from carrying or possessing a firearm or other dangerous weapon, as defined by federal and state law and district policy, on school property, school‑provided transportation, areas of facilities being used exclusively by public schools, or at school‑sponsored events or activities. RCW 9.41.280(2) establishes that bringing a dangerous weapon onto school property constitutes grounds for expulsion. If a student brings a dangerous weapon to school but has not used it, the student will be temporarily excluded from the school environment while a thorough assessment of the situation is completed. The student may be placed in another educational setting where school work may continue. This does not apply to firearms or to students who use a weapon to threaten or harm others. As required by RCW 28A.600.420(1), any student determined to have carried or possessed a firearm on school property, school‑provided transportation, areas of facilities while being used exclusively by public schools, or at school‑sponsored events or activities shall be expelled for not less than one year. When reasonably possible, the district will work with families and agencies to support continued education in a safe alternative setting. Students have the right to appeal disciplinary action in accordance with district policy and procedures. Violations of this policy shall be reported annually to the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction. Weapons‑Free Zone signs shall be posted in all school facilities. The Superintendent is granted authority to adopt procedures to implement this policy and the requirements of RCW 28A.600.420. Procedures for weapons possession incidents are as follows: 1. If serious harm is possible, call 911 immediately and notify the front office. 2. Investigate reports or rumors of weapons, increase supervision, and initiate safety responses such as shelter‑in‑place or lockdown when necessary. 3. Notify the front office so additional support can be provided. 4. Weapons discovered in student possession shall be confiscated immediately. If a firearm is discovered, call 911. 5. Initiate corrective action immediately and notify parents or guardians regarding the incident and pending expulsion. 6. Complete a Safety and Security Incident Report for all weapons incidents. Adopted: February 21, 2020 Revised:

Nondiscrimination Statement Wa He Lut Indian School Agency is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its employment practices or educational programs and activities on the basis of sex, race, ethnicity, color, religion, creed, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, homelessness, immigration or citizenship status, neurodivergence, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal, except as provided under the Indian Preference Act (25 U.S.C. §§ 472–473). The school provides equal access to the Boy Scouts of America and other designated youth groups as required by law. Questions or complaints of discrimination may be directed to: Superintendent / Principal Harvey Whitford Section 504 and Civil Rights Coordinator Stacy Turner

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