FILE:  EBC

Cf:  GAMH, JCAB

Cf:  JCDAE, KG, KM

BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS SECURITY

Access to school buildings and grounds outside of regular school hours shall be limited to personnel whose work requires it or to those that have been authorized access.  Protective devices designed to be used as safeguards against illegal entry and vandalism shall be installed when appropriate to the individual situation.

Records and funds shall be kept in a safe place and under lock and key when required.

FIREARM-FREE ZONES

The areas surrounding the school campus or within 1,000 feet of any such school campus, or within a school bus, shall be designated Firearm-Free Zones.  Louisiana Criminal Law prohibits the possession, with certain exceptions, of firearms on school property, within 1,000 feet of school property, or while on a school bus, with limited exception as enumerated in La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §14:95.2.  Students or non-students may be subject to prosecution or may be disciplined for the violation of laws, regulations, or policies prohibiting the use or possession of a firearm on school property, school vehicles, or at school functions.  The School Board, in cooperation with local governmental agencies and the Louisiana Department of Education, shall designate and mark Firearm-Free Zones which surround all schools and school property.

BODY ARMOR

It shall be unlawful and against School Board policy for any student or non-student to wear or possess on his/her person, at any time, body armor on any School Board property, school campus, at a school-sponsored function, on a school bus or other school transportation, or in a firearm-free zone, with limited exception as enumerated in La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §14:95.9.  School-sponsored functions shall include, but not be limited to, athletic competitions, dances, parties, or any extracurricular activities.  A firearm-free zone means any area within one thousand feet of any school campus and within a school bus.

Body armor shall mean bullet-resistant metal or other material intended to provide protection from weapons or bodily injury.

The School Board shall post permanent notices of such prohibition at each major point of entry to the school.

DRUG-FREE ZONES

The area within 2,000 feet of any property used for school purposes by any school, or on a school bus, shall be designated as Drug-Free Zones.  It is unlawful for anyone to use, distribute, be under the influence of, manufacture or possess any controlled substances as defined by statute in a Drug-Free Zone.  The Rapides Parish School Board, in cooperation with local governmental agencies, and the Louisiana Department of Education, shall designate and mark Drug-Free Zones which surround all schools and school property.

SEARCH OF PERSONS OTHER THAN STUDENTS

Any school principal, administrator, teacher, or school security guards may search the person, book bag, briefcase, purse or other object in the possession of any person who is not a student enrolled in the school, or any school employee, while in or on school grounds.  This search may be done randomly with a metal detector, or physically when there is reasonable suspicion that such person has any weapons, illegal drugs, alcohol, stolen goods, or objects in violation of School Board policy.

ELECTRONIC TELECOMMUNICATION DEVICES

Except as may be allowed by School Board policy, no person, unless authorized by the school principal or designee, shall use or operate any electronic telecommunication device including any facsimile system, radio paging service, mobile telephone service, intercom, or electromechanical paging system in any elementary or secondary school building, or on the grounds thereof while school is in session or in any school bus

SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS ON SCHOOL CAMPUS

In order to assist in the protection and safety of employees and students, the Rapides Parish School Board shall authorize the installation of surveillance cameras at various locations on school campuses, but shall not allow placement in bathrooms and/or dressing rooms.  Students or employees viewed violating school rules and regulations shall be disciplined, in accordance with School Board regulations, up to and including expulsion/termination.  Action may be taken against visitors viewed breaking regulations, including notification of law enforcement officials.

Ref:    La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§14:95.2, 14:95.6, 14:95.9, 17:81, 17:239, 17:240, 17:405, 17:416.6

Board minutes 4-16-02, 12-7-10, 7-5-11, 11-5-13

Rapides Parish School Board