5142.4 - Armed School Security Officers

Policy 5142.4

Students

Safety

Armed School Security Officers


The Newtown Board of Education (the “Board”) authorizes the placement of armed school security officers in its school buildings during times that the Superintendent or his/her designee 
deems necessary in order to provide for the safety and security of students and school personnel.  

The armed school security officers shall support the school administration and staff in maintaining a safe and positive school environment.

At the discretion of the Board, the armed school security officers shall be authorized to carry firearms on school grounds in the performance of their duties, consistent with state and federal law, Board policy and administrative regulations, and any applicable memorandum of understanding or agreement with the Town of Newtown.  

An armed school security officer will not draw, point, or discharge his/her firearm on school grounds unless it is necessary to protect a person, including himself or herself, from what the armed school security officer reasonably believes to be the imminent use of deadly physical force.  Any use of a firearm will be preceded by a verbal warning, if possible.  Any use of firearms must be consistent with state and federal law, Board policy and administrative regulations, and any applicable memorandum of understanding or agreement with the Town of Newtown.  

The Superintendent will adopt and maintain administrative regulations to implement this Policy.

Legal Reference:    Connecticut General Statutes
4-176e through 4-180a. Contested Cases. Notice. Record.
10-220 Duties of boards of education.
10-233a through 10-233f. Suspension, removal and expulsion of students, as amended by PA 95-304, PA 96-244, and PA 98-139.
53a-3 Definitions.
53a-217b Possession of Firearms and Deadly Weapons on School Grounds.
PA 15-168 An Act Concerning Collaboration Between Boards of Education and School Resource Officers and the Collection and Reporting of Data on School-Based Arrests
PA 94-221 An Act Concerning School Discipline and Safety.


Legal Reference:    Connecticut General Statutes  (continued)
GOALS 2000: Educate America Act, Pub. L. 103-227.
18 U.S.C. 921 Definitions.
Title III - Amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. 
Sec. 314 (Local Control Over Violence) 
Elementary and Secondary Act of 1965 as amended by the Gun Free Schools Act of 1994.
P.L. 105-17 The Individuals with Disabilities Act, Amendment of 1997.
Kyle P. Packer PPA Jane Packer v. Thomaston Board of Education.


Policy adopted:    March 5, 2019    
NEWTOWN PUBLIC SCHOOLS, Newtown, Connecticut 
 
Inspiring Each Student to Excel

3 Primrose St., Newtown, CT 06470
Phone: 203-426-7600