I. Unauthorized weapons and other dangerous objects have an adverse and disruptive effect upon the educational process and have no place within the education and work environments of the School District. As part of the School District’s overall plan to enhance the level of protection of the health, safety and welfare of students, employee’s and visitors, as well as to support enforcement of the Student Code of Conduct, walk-through or handheld metal detectors may be used to screen persons for firearms and other dangerous objects which are prohibited on School District property by applicable law and School Board policies at any facility or event operated by the school district

II. This policy shall apply to all students, employees, visitors, and contractors who desire to enter School Board property.

III. Nothing in this policy set forth below shall be construed to limit the authority of School District administrators to search any person when there is reasonable suspicion to believe that such person is in possession of a firearm or other dangerous or prohibited object(s), or when such a search is otherwise permitted by law or School Board Policy 5.31.

IV. Use of walk-through or handheld metal detectors in schools/District facilities shall be conducted in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and user guide. No walk-through or handheld metal detectors other than those approved by the Department of Safety, Security, and Emergency Management, shall be utilized on School Board property.

V. Only school board approved personnel who have been trained may operate the walk- through or handheld metal detectors. All staff assigned to operate the walk-through or handheld metal detectors must be certified to use the walk-through or handheld metal detectors by completing all required training as determined by the SCSPD or SSEM.

VI. All searches shall be conducted in accordance with School District policies and Florida Law.

VII. If there is reasonable suspicion that someone has a dangerous weapon the school/site administrator may request that the school-based SRO conduct the search on behalf of the administrator for safety reasons.

VIII. Any person found to be in possession of a firearm, weapon, or other dangerous object prohibited on school district property shall be subject to arrest and/or disciplinary action pursuant to applicable law and Student Code of Conduct.

IX. Students and employees who refuse to submit to a search consistent with these guidelines will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action by school/District administration. Other persons (visitors and contractors) who refuse to submit to a search consistent with this policy will be refused entry and escorted off campus.

X. When a scanned student or employee is found to be in possession of articles prohibited by applicable law or School Board policy, the designated school district employee conducting the scan will promptly notify the principal/designee of the scan results to ensure appropriate disciplinary action is taken, as well as appropriate additional action(s) such as completing a Behavioral Threat Assessment, in accordance with School Board policy.

XI. Where a scanned person is found to be in possession of articles prohibited by law, the designated school district employee will inform the school resource officer or local law enforcement. In the event the search was conducted by a law enforcement officer, the officer may take enforcement action as authorized under Florida law.

XII. Screening Notices will be posted in several prominent locations at each school district facility informing students, employees, visitors, and contractors that they are subject to search for weapons and other dangerous objects prohibited by applicable law or School Board policy.