The Adams 14 Board of Education is the policy-making body of the District. The Board governs the education of students and the operations of the District within limitations set by the state of Colorado.
For a complete listing of the Board's policies please go to the Colorado Association of School Boards policy page.
Each month, Adams 14 will spotlight a Board policy that is important to the community. This month, we examine policy JICI - Weapons in School. The policy reads:
The Board of Education determines that possession and/or use of a weapon by students is detrimental to the welfare and safety of the students and school personnel within the district.
Mandatory expulsion in accordance with state and federal law
Carrying, bringing, using or possessing a dangerous weapon on district property, when being transported in vehicles dispatched by the district or one of its schools, during a school-sponsored or district-sponsored activity or event, and off school property when the conduct has a reasonable connection to school or any district curricular or non-curricular event without the authorization of the school or the school district is prohibited. An exception to this policy may be made for students participating in an authorized extracurricular activity or team involving the use of firearms.
As used in this policy, "dangerous weapon" means:
a. A firearm, whether loaded or unloaded. b. Any pellet, BB gun or other device, whether operational or not, designed to propel projectiles by spring action or compressed air. c. A fixed blade knife with a blade that measures longer than three inches in length or a spring loaded knife or a pocket knife with a blade longer than three and one-half inches. d. Any object, device, instrument, material, or substance, whether animate or inanimate, used or intended to be used to inflict death or serious bodily injury including, but not limited to slingshot, bludgeon, brass knuckles or artificial knuckles of any kind.
The principal shall initiate expulsion proceedings for students who carry, bring, use or possess a dangerous weapon in violation of this policy. A student may, but need not be expelled if as soon as possible upon discovering that he or she is in possession of the dangerous weapon, the student notifies and delivers the weapon to school officials.
In accordance with federal law, expulsion shall be for no less than one full calendar year for a student who is determined to have brought a firearm to school in violation of this policy. The superintendent may modify the length of this federal requirement for expulsion on a case-by-case basis.
Discretionary discipline in accordance with state law
Carrying, using, actively displaying or threatening with the use of a firearm facsimile that could reasonably be mistaken for an actual firearm on district property, when being transported in vehicles dispatched by the district or one of its schools, during a school-sponsored or district-sponsored activity or event, and off school property when such conduct has a reasonable connection to school or any district curricular or non-curricular event without the authorization of the school or school district is prohibited. Students who violate this policy provision may be subject to disciplinary action including but not limited to suspension and/or expulsion.
A student may seek prior authorization from the building principal to carry, bring, use or possess a firearm facsimile that could reasonably be mistaken for an actual firearm on school property for purposes of a school-related or non-school related activity. A student’s failure to obtain such prior authorization is a violation of this policy provision and may result in disciplinary action, including but not limited to suspension and/or expulsion. The principal’s decision to deny or permit a student to carry, bring, use or possess a firearm facsimile that could reasonably be mistaken for an actual firearm on school property shall be final.
School administrators shall consider violations of this policy provision on a case-by-case basis to determine whether suspension, expulsion or any other disciplinary action is appropriate based upon the individual facts and circumstances involved.
Local restrictions
The Board of Education determines that extra precautions are important and necessary to provide for student safety. Therefore, the carrying, bringing, using or possessing of any knife, regardless of the length of the blade, on district property, when being transported in vehicles dispatched by the district or one of its schools, during a school-sponsored or district-sponsored activity or event, and off school property when the conduct has a reasonable connection to school or any district curricular or non-curricular event without express authorization is prohibited. Students who violate this policy provision shall be referred for appropriate disciplinary proceedings.
The district shall maintain records which describe the circumstances involving expulsions of students who bring weapons to school including the name of the school, the number of students expelled and the types of weapons involved as required by law.
School personnel shall refer any student who brings a firearm or weapon to school without authorization of the school or the school district to law enforcement, as appropriate.