You are here

Home » 900 Community Relations » 905 Use of School District Facilities and Equipment

905.03 - Weapons in the School District

COMMUNITY RELATIONS

905.03 - WEAPONS IN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT

The board believes weapons, other dangerous objects and look-a-likes in school district facilities and at school district-approved events cause material and substantial disruption to the school environment or present a threat to the health and safety of students, employees and visitors on the school district premises or property within the jurisdiction of the school district.

All weapons, dangerous objects and look-a-likes are prohibited to be carried, possessed, transported or otherwise stored on school district property and to school district-approved events.  Exceptions to this policy include weapons carried by the following individuals in performance of their official duties: 

  • law enforcement; 
  • military personnel;
  • corrections officers;
  • individuals approved in writing by the Superintendent;
  • students and individuals approved in writing by the Superintendent who are actively engaging in a school district approved firearms safety course, hunter education course or shooting sports activity; 

Individuals found to be in violation of this district policy will be required to immediately remove the weapon, dangerous object or look-a-likes from the school district property or event.  Students found to be in violation of this policy or any other board policies related to weapons will be subject to disciplinary proceedings.  Employees found in violation of this policy may be subject to discipline, up to and including termination.

The district shall not authorize staff members to carry firearms on school grounds in accordance with Iowa Code 724.6.

This is a mandatory policy. 

 

Note: The legislature made changes to decriminalize the carrying of firearms on campus by certain individuals if certain circumstances are met.  However, much like creating tobacco-free campuses, schools maintain the authority to choose whether to place additional limitations on the carrying of firearms on district property as needed to protect the health and safety of students and staff.

 

NOTE:  Schools Boards of districts with a total enrollment of 8,000 students or more must vote whether to employ or retain a private school security officer or school resource officer to guard each attendance center where students in grades 9-12 regularly attend classes.  If the board decides to do so, the relevant italicized language should be adopted into policy, and the non-relevant language removed.  Districts with total enrollment less than 8,000 students are not required to vote but may choose to do so.

 

NOTE: Districts that wish to consider arming staff should work closely with their insurance providers and legal counsel to craft appropriate regulations necessary to fit this option.  Any regulations should be customized to suit the needs of individual districts, and developed closely with input from the same stakeholders the district uses to craft their emergency operations plans.

Adopted:  10/21/2024

 

Legal Reference: 18 U.S.C. § 921 
Iowa Code §§ 279.8; .84; 280.21B; 483A.27(11), 724 
281 I.A.C. 12.3(6)
 
I.C. Iowa Code Description
Iowa Code § 279.8 Directors - General Rules - Bonds of Employees
Iowa Code § 280.21B Expulsion-weapons
Iowa Code § 483A.27 Hunter Education Program
Iowa Code § 724 Weapons
I.A.C. Iowa Administrative Code Description
281 I.A.C. 12.3 Administration
U.S.C. - United States Code Description
18 U.S.C. § 921 Crimes - Criminal Procedures - Firearms