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The law prohibits students from possessing firearms or weapons on campus. “Weapon” means any dirk, knife, metallic
knuckles, slungshot, billie, tear gas gun, chemical weapon, or device. This includes tasers or stun guns, razor blades and
box cutters or any item that can inflict serious bodily injury or place a reasonable person in fear of serious harm. Any
student found in possession of a firearm or weapon on campus, on school transportation or at a school sponsored activity
will be expelled and may face criminal consequences including arrest.

In complying with the law, the Palm Beach County School Board defines zero tolerance to mean that certain kinds of
misconduct will always lead to a disciplinary consequence of expulsion. F.S. § 1006.13 for certain misconduct,
administrators have discretion as to discipline and penalties and for others the School Board has mandatory penalties. “If
a student committing any of the offenses in this subsection is a student who has a disability, the district school board shall
comply with applicable State Board of Education rules.” All of these policies have been enacted to ensure that your child
is safe and has every opportunity to benefit from instruction.

STUDENT CRIME STOPPERS

Student Crime Stoppers is a non-profit organization created to give students an avenue to anonymously report a threat
or crime. The program empowers students to be proactive in preventing violence in their school and community. The
program awards a monetary incentive of up to $100 for information about criminal activity and $500 for the recovery of
a firearm at school.

The following steps are to be followed in calling in a tip:
▪ Call 1-800-458-TIPS (8477)
▪ Do not give your name; say you are a student caller.
▪ Give the information you have about the criminal activity. You may be asked questions to clarify the situation.
You will NOT be asked your name.
▪ You will be given a code. Write down the code. You will be instructed when to call back to find out if you will
receive an award. It is your responsibility to know your code number; it is your only link to receive your award.
▪ Information about a crime may also be reported at www.studentcrimestopper.com or by text messaging at
tips@cspbc.com.

STUDENT SEARCH AND SEIZURE

School personnel may search students reasonably suspected of being in possession of contraband or other prohibited
items while on School Board-Owned property or wherever students are under the official supervision of School Board
employees, such as on field trips, at extracurricular activities, or while being transported to and from such places either
by school bus, by approved drivers, or by other means of conveyance.

School personnel may conduct a search of a student, a student’s possessions, a student’s locker, or any other storage
area on school property without a warrant when school personnel have reasonable suspicion that illegal, prohibited,
harmful items or substances, or stolen property may be concealed on a student’s person or in a storage area.
F.S. § 1006.09(9)

All students are subject to random screening via metal detector and/or hand-held wand detector. If the detector activates
reasonable suspicion exists to conduct a secondary screening and search when necessary. Prohibited items found incident
to screening and/or search shall cause a student to be disciplined according to the Student Code of Conduct and may
subject the student to criminal prosecution for violations of law.
FY24 Student and Family Handbook 64 | Page