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

Reviewed: 12/16/2025

 

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

905.1 Community Use of School District Buildings and Sites and Equipment

SCHOOL DISTRICT COMMUNITY RELATIONS

POLICY 905.1 - COMMUNITY USE OF SCHOOL DISTRICT FACILITIES & EQUIPMENT

School district facilities and equipment will be made available to local nonprofit entities which promote cultural, educational, civic, community, or recreational activities. "Entity(ies)" will include organizations, groups and individuals and their agents. Such use will be permitted only when the use does not interfere with or disrupt the education program or a school-related activity, the use is consistent with state law, and will end no later than midnight. It is within the discretion of the board to allow for-profit entities to use school district facilities and equipment. The board reserves the right to deny use of the facilities and equipment to an entity.

Entities that wish to use school district facilities or equipment must apply at the WACO School office of the facility requested for rental.  It is the responsibility of the building secretary or Principal or their designee to determine whether the school district facility or equipment requested is available and whether the application for use meets board policy and administrative regulations. It is the responsibility of the Principal or office secretary or designee to provide application forms, obtain proof of insurance, and draw up the contract for use of school district facilities and equipment.

Use of school district facilities and equipment by entities may be supervised by a school district employee unless special prior arrangements are made with the superintendent.  The school district employee will not accept a fee from the entity using school district facilities and equipment. If appropriate, the school district employee may be paid by the school district.

Entities that use school district buildings, or equipment, or sites must leave the building or site in the same condition it was in prior to its use. Inappropriate use of school district facilities and equipment may result in additional fees charged to, or the inability of, the entity to use school district facilities or equipment in the future.

The board may allow entities, such as the Boy and Girl Scouts and 4-H, to use the school district facilities and equipment without charge. While such entities may use the facilities and equipment without charge, they may be required to pay a custodial fee.

It is the responsibility of the superintendent to develop a fee schedule for the board's approval and to develop administrative regulations regarding this policy.

Legal Reference:                Iowa Code §§ 8D; 123.46; 276; 278.1(4); 279.8; 297.9-.11 (2007).

1982 Op. Att'y Gen. 561.

1940 Op. Att'y Gen. 232.

1936 Op. Att'y Gen. 196.

Cross Reference:704           Revenue

Approved        6/14/73
Reviewed        02/17/2020; 12/16/2025
Revised           11/16/15

905.1E1 Use of Facilities-Application Form

 

 

Uploaded Files: 
File 905.1e1_-_facility_use_request_form.docx

905.1R1 Use of School District Facilities Regulation

SCHOOL DISTRICT - COMMUNITY RELATIONS

905.1R1 Use of School District Facilities Regulation

1. Alcoholic beverages will not be brought to or consumed on school grounds.
2. Smoking is prohibited in school district facilities and on school district grounds,
including in private vehicles.
3. After a school district facility, site, or equipment has been used by an entity, cleaning,
including restoring the facility, site or equipment to the condition it was in prior to its
use, will be done by employees assisted by a committee from the entity. The fee
charged to the entity for the use of the facility, site, or equipment will include these
costs. However, if excessive costs are involved in cleaning or otherwise restoring the
facility, site, or equipment to the condition it was in prior to its use, the board reserves
the right to charge the entity for these excessive costs.
4. Entities are required to stay within the area of the school district facility or site and use
only the school district equipment authorized by the school district for use by the
entity. Other school district facilities, sites, or areas in the school district building or
equipment are off limits to the entity.
5. A cancellation after the facility or equipment is made ready for the entity will be
charged at the full rate. Cancellations made prior to that time will be charged a
minimum cancellation fee or the costs incurred to the school district in anticipation of
the entity's use, whichever is greater.

Adopted: 12/16/2025

905.1R2 Fees for Use of School District Facilities

Uploaded Files: 
File 905.1r2_-_fee_schedule_expectations.docx

905.2 Nicotine Free Environment

SCHOOL DISTRICT - COMMUNITY RELATIONS

905.2 - NICOTINE FREE ENVIRONMENT

The use of nicotine products; including, but not limited to, cigarettes, nicotine chew, snus, dissolvables, electronic cigarettes, any electronic or other devices that can be used to deliver nicotine to the person inhaling from the device, any other look-alike products in which the original product would include tobacco and/or nicotine and/or other nicotine products that are not approved by the Federal Drug Administration for tobacco cessation; on district property; including in district building, on district grounds, in district transportation vehicles, or at any district activity; is prohibited.

This policy extends to all students, employees, volunteers, and visitors.  This policy applies at all times, including during school-sponsored events and during non-school sponsored events. 

Persons violating this policy will be asked to cease using the tobacco and/or nicotine product, properly dispose of the tobacco and/or nicotine product and refrain from using tobacco and/or nicotine products in the future.  Persons failing to abide by this request hall be required to leave the district premises immediately.

It is the responsibility of all district personnel and specifically district administrators. to enforce this policy.

Legal Reference:         Goals 2000:  Educate America Act, Pub. L. No. 103-227, 108 Stat. 125 (1994).

                                    Iowa Code §§ 142B; 279.8, .9; 297 (1995).

Approved:       7/18/96

Reviewed:      02/17/2020; 12/16/2025

Revised:          02/17/2020