Colchester board adopts firearms policy F23; student violations can carry up to one-year expulsion

The Colchester School District School Board approved the second and final reading of firearms policy F23 on June 3, creating a policy specific to firearms and clarifying disciplinary consequences for students.

The policy separates firearms from the district’s broader weapons policy; district administrators said the change improves clarity because consequences for firearms differ from other weapons. Amy, a central office administrator presenting the policy, said the policy is required by the Vermont School Boards Association template and specifies that any student who violates the firearms policy shall be referred to the school board for a hearing and may face a maximum consequence of expulsion for one calendar year.

Amy explained that the one-year expulsion is counted from the date of the violation. For example, a violation on June 3, 2025, could result in expulsion until June 3, 2026. She emphasized the district’s intent to prevent firearms from entering school buildings and said the policy has not seen major changes since the first reading; the only addition was legal references.

Board members asked whether there is a separate policy for staff and administrators. Amy said there is not currently a statewide statutory requirement for a specific adult firearms policy; there were bills at the statehouse addressing adults and firearms that did not advance to crossover this year, and she expected lawmakers might revisit the issue next year. She noted law enforcement would still be allowed on campus under normal public-safety exceptions.

A board member moved to approve the second and final reading of firearms policy F23; the motion passed by voice vote.