Many local schools, including Fairmont High School in Kettering, have a zero tolerance policy for guns or lookalike firearms on campus.
These rules are usually found in the student handbook, and punishments can be severe.
“What’s the point of bringing a toy gun to school anyway? There’s no logical reason except to cause a disruption,” said Pat Barker, a former teacher at Wayne High School in Huber Heights.
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People across the Miami Valley are still reacting after a Beavercreek freshman on Tuesday brought a toy cap gun to school.
“It’s extremely scary, especially because it causes induced panic right away so the kids start to get scared,” said Christina Norman of Fairborn.
Dayton Public Schools and Fairborn City Schools have policies that are identical in wording, which prohibits students from knowingly possessing an object on school premises.
“I definitely feel like it should stay zero tolerance. Yeah, I mean it’s a serious issue,” Norman said.
Beavercreek City Schools has a similar zero tolerance policy, as do other districts including Kettering City School District, Clark-Shawnee Local School District and the Brookville Local School District. In each case, districts can expel students who violate these rules.
“You really don’t know what the outcome is going to be, so I think we have to be very strict about expelling kids, sending a strong, clear message,” Barker said.
In January, a school shooting at West-Liberty Salem High School seriously injured a sophomore, who has since returned to school. The accused shooter remains in juvenile detention and possibly will be tried as an adult.
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When students violate zero tolerance policies, school administrators in many cases must notify the county juvenile court system and also can contact law enforcement to determine criminal charges in addition to school disciplinary action.
