The Houston R-1 School District reported Tuesday morning a firearm was discovered inside a student’s vehicle on campus. The student, the district said, had been deer hunting.
In a parent email and social media post, the district said the firearm was safely removed from campus by administrators and the school resource officer.
“At this time, there is no threat to students or staff,” the district said in its communication. “As required, the district will follow all applicable Board policies and procedures in responding to this situation.”
According to Policy JFCJ that was adopted by the district in 1993 and revised at last week’s monthly board meeting:
“Students who bring or possess these weapons on school property will be suspended from school for at least one calendar year or expelled, and the incident will be reported to law enforcement, as required by law. The superintendent may modify the suspension or expulsion on a case-by-case basis. Students who are suspended under this provision may be educated in an alternative school.”
Weapons are prohibited on school grounds as part of the Missouri Safe Schools Act. They include blackjack, concealable firearm, firearm, firearm silencer, explosive weapon, gas gun, knife, knuckles, machine gun, projectile weapon, rifle, shotgun, spring gun and switchblade knife.
The district emphasized in its communication that “firearms must not be brought onto school property at any time, even if they remain in a vehicle. Please make sure guns are secured at home before coming to school.”