Policy 5436 – Weapons

The Kenosha Unified School District shall strive to provide a safe and healthy environment for all persons on its premises or attending any of its activities or functions, including prohibiting the possession, use, or storage of a dangerous weapon on school property, school buses, or at any school related event. Furthermore, no student will use a dangerous weapon to threaten the life of another student, an employee, or any other person while on school property or engaged in a school activity on or off school property.

No person, including someone with a state-issued concealed carry license, shall use or possess a firearm, whether loaded or unloaded, any destructive device, or other dangerous weapon in school buildings and other buildings owned, occupied, or controlled by the school district, on school premises, in school provided transportation, or at any school-supervised and school-controlled activity, except as otherwise specifically authorized in this policy.

“Dangerous weapons” include:

  • A firearm, whether loaded or unloaded, operational or non-operational;
  • A weapon facsimile that could reasonably be mistaken for an actual firearm; or other weapon.
    A weapon facsimile includes any object, device, instrument, material, or substance that substantially mimics a weapon;
  • Any pellet gun, or “BB” gun, taser, stun gun, pepperball gun, or other device, whether operational or not, designed to propel projectiles by spring action or compressed air;
  • Knives of any length, razor blades, or box cutters, or
  • Any object, device, instrument, material, or substance, whether animate or inanimate, that is used or intended to be used by the student to inflict death or serious bodily injury; or designed to inflict serious bodily injury or death, regardless of the student’s intent.

The following are exempted from this policy: weapons under the control of law enforcement personnel (current, off-duty, or qualified former law enforcement), theatrical props used in appropriate settings, starter pistols used in appropriate sporting events, military personnel armed in line of duty, ROTC instructional activities under the supervision of a certified staff member, and items pre-approved by the building principal as part of a class or individual presentation under adult supervision. This approval must be in writing and granted prior to the weapon being brought to school. Additional exemptions are delineated in WI State Statute 948.605.

Persons violating this policy will be referred to law enforcement for possible prosecution under applicable laws and/or subject to school disciplinary action.


LEGAL REF.:

  • Wisconsin Statutes Sections:
    • 120.13(1) School government rules: suspension; expulsion
    • 948.60 Possession of a dangerous weapon for person under 18
    • 948.605 Gun-free school zones
    • 948.61 Dangerous weapons other than firearms on school premises
  • Federal Law Gun-Free Schools Act of 1994

CROSS REF.:

  • 5111 Anti-Bullying/Harassment/Hate
  • 5430 Student Conduct and Discipline
  • 5436.1 Fires, Fire Alarms, Explosives, Firecrackers and Spray Devices
  • 5436.2 Missiles
  • 5437 Threats /Assaults
  • 5473 Student Suspension
  • 5474 Student Expulsion
  • 5475 Students with Disabilities
  • Employee Handbook

ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATIONS: None

AFFIRMED: August 13, 1991

REVISED:

  • October 8, 1996
  • September 9, 1997
  • May 11, 1999
  • February 23, 2016
  • December 14, 2021
  • June 25, 2024

Rule 5436 – Weapons

Students violating the Board’s weapons policy will be subject to disciplinary action, including immediate suspension and referral to the Administrative Review Committee for expulsion consideration as outlined in Administrative Regulation 5430.

Parent(s)/guardian(s) of those involved will be notified in all cases where this policy is violated. Law enforcement also will be notified and confiscated weapons will be turned over to appropriate law enforcement officials.

The District will comply with federal and state laws and reporting requirements, including assurance of compliance with state regulations regarding student expulsion for firearms possession.