Butte School District

THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

4332

Conduct on School Property

In addition to prohibitions stated in other District policies, no person on school property shall:

1. Injure or threaten to injure another person;
2. Damage another’s property or that of the District;
3. Violate any provision of the criminal law of the state of Montana or town or county ordinance;
4. Smoke or otherwise use tobacco or nicotine products. Nicotine products that are ordered by a health care professional with a prescriptive authority may be used in a school setting in accordance with the “Administering Medicines to Students” Policy 3416.
5. Consume, possess, or distribute alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs, or marijuana;
6.  Impede, delay, or otherwise interfere with the orderly conduct of the District’s educational program or any other activity occurring on school property;
7. Possess a non-firearm weapon as defined in this policy;
8. Enter upon any portion of the school premises at any time for purposes other than those which are lawful and authorized by the Board; or
9. Willfully violate other District rules and regulations.

“School property” means within school buildings, in vehicles used for school purposes, or on owned or leased school land or grounds. District administrators are authorized to appropriate action, as circumstances warrant, to enforce this section of the policy including but not limited to requesting assistance of law enforcement in accordance with Montana law.

Firearms and Weapons

A person who is not an enrolled student or District employee shall not possess any firearm or other non-firearm weapon in a school building at any time.

For the purposes of this policy, the term "firearm" means (A) any weapon which will or is designed to or may readily be converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive; (B) the frame or receiver of any such weapon; (C) any firearm muffler or firearm silencer; or (D) any destructive device pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 921 (4). Such term does not include an antique firearm pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 921 (16).

For purposes of this policy, "non-firearm weapon" means any object, device, or instrument designed as a weapon or through its use is capable of intimidating, threatening or producing bodily harm or which may be used to inflict injury.

District administrators are authorized to appropriate action, as circumstances warrant, to enforce this section of the policy including but not limited to requesting the assistance of law enforcement in accordance with Montana law.

This section does not apply to a law enforcement officer acting in the officer's official capacity or an individual previously authorized by the Board of Trustees to possess a firearm or weapon in a school building.

The Board of Trustees shall annually review this policy and update this policy as determined necessary by the trustees based on changing circumstances pertaining to school safety.

For the purposes of this policy, "School building" means a combination of any materials, whether mobile, portable, or fixed, to form a structure and the related facilities for the use or occupancy by persons or property owned or leased by a local school district that are used for instruction or for student activities as specified in Section 50-60-101 (2), MCA and Section 45-8-361, MCA. The term is construed as though followed by the words "or part or parts of a building" and is considered to include all stadiums, bleachers, and other similar outdoor facilities, whether temporary or permanently fixed.

Cross Reference:

Policy 3416 Administering Medicines to Students

Policy History:

Adopted on: 10/18/04
Revised on:  11/20/06; 06/22/10, 1/21/2025