August 13, 1997

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Trost)   RE: ZERO-TOLERANCE POLICY FOR WEAPONS, VIOLENCE CONTINUES TO ENSURE SAFER SCHOOLS A zero-tolerance policy regarding weapons and fighting on City Schools campuses has been expanded to possession of drugs, alcohol or tobacco. The policy states that students bringing weapons on campus or participating in violent acts or repeated incidents of fighting will be immediately suspended and recommended for expulsion. Expulsion will be recommended with the first incident of furnishing or selling and the third violation involving use and/or possession of alcohol or drugs. A student will be suspended on the fourth violation of the policy involving tobacco and expulsion will be recommended. Students in middle level (grades 6-8), junior high (grades 7-8 or 7-9) and high school (grades 9-12 or 10-12) are affected by the policy. The policy defines a weapon to include pistol, replica pistol, starter pistol, dirk, dagger, any size or type of knife, razor, slingshot, explosives, taser, stun gun, rocket, brass knuckles, or BB or pellet gun. Any object used in a threatening manner, even if it is not normally considered a weapon, will be considered a weapon under the zero-tolerance policy. Records of physical violence, weapons and controlled substances violations will be kept for each student on the student's record, including information on suspensions and expulsions. The information will not follow the student after graduation. A student violating the zero-tolerance policy by bringing a weapon on campus, participating in a violent act or controlled substances violations will be removed from all comprehensive school sites in the district for a minimum of one semester. Students will be recommended for expulsion immediately upon the third incidence in one year of fighting that inflicts injury. Placement in an alternative program for at least one semester will be required. In addition to a five-day suspension and investigation for expulsion or suspended expulsion (placement in a program away from the comprehensive school setting), students who violate the Penal Code by bringing a weapon to campus or using a weapon in a threatening manner, or cause serious bodily injury to another person will be charged and arrested and taken to a juvenile detention facility or county jail. The policy is designed to make City Schools campuses safer for students and staff, according to Superintendent Bertha Pendleton.