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Waukegan board debates handbook language for look‑alike weapons, citing Illinois school code
Summary
Board members discussed whether district discipline language for look‑alike weapons should require mandatory expulsion versus a graduated response; the administration proposed a continuum and the board asked for clarity on how the language ties to district policy and Illinois law.
At Tuesday's meeting, Waukegan CUSD 60 board members opened an extended discussion about student discipline for weapons and look‑alike firearms and asked administrators to clarify how proposed handbook language aligns with the Illinois School Code and district policy.
President Rodriguez introduced a staff proposal that would create a continuum for managing incidents involving look‑alike weapons — ranging from possession with no disruption to mandatory expulsion if a look‑alike is used or intended to cause bodily harm. He said the proposal is meant to bring "consistency across buildings" and to guide whether incidents should rise to an expulsion referral.
Several trustees pressed for legal clarity. One trustee said she had read the Illinois School Code and "have a different interpretation" and argued that some past incidents should have led to a modified‑expulsion discussion with the board. The administration noted the discipline policy (referenced in the meeting as policy 60‑40) calls for annual PTAC review and incorporation of recommended handbook changes.
Board members asked the administration to show the specific code language and to clarify how prior cases were handled. President Rodriguez said the board must know "did it come to us, did it not come to us, are we consistent, are we not consistent." The administration replied it would take the board's input back to outreach and PTAC and use that feedback when drafting a first reading of the revised handbook.
No formal policy change or vote occurred Tuesday; the discussion will inform a first reading and a future formal vote when the handbook is brought back to the board.
