Erie City SD outlines new weapons‑notification steps under Pennsylvania’s Act 44
Erie City SD Committee of the Whole · January 8, 2026
Summary
District administrators told the board the new state law requires parents, staff and the board be notified within 24 hours when a weapon is found on school property; the district will use ParentSquare for communications and plans a policy review in February.
Doctor Gibbs opened the Committee of the Whole with an administrative update and the board then heard a detailed expulsion‑reporting briefing from Mizumagala about compliance with Pennsylvania’s Act 44 of 2025.
Mizumagala said Act 44, signed into law in November and effective Jan. 6, 2026, requires notification to parents, guardians and staff within 24 hours when a weapon is discovered on school property, at a school event or on school transportation. She said the district will deliver family and staff communications via ParentSquare and that different reporting pathways will be used at the secondary and elementary levels—secondary incidents will be routed through Supervisor Parker to the superintendent’s office, while elementary building administration will notify the superintendent’s office.
The presentation emphasized that Act 44 focuses on notification rather than new punitive measures, and district security protocols and reporting procedures are being updated so internal procedures meet the statutory requirement. Mizumagala noted the district’s safe‑schools reporting would treat any pocket knife as a reportable weapon and referenced last year’s internal research showing 23 incidents that would have met the notification threshold under the new law.
Board members asked practical questions about implementation. One member asked whether the 23 incidents were tied to magnetometer/magnetometer screening; administration said it would research which incidents were identified via screening. Another asked whether small pocket knives were included; Mizumagala said the district’s reporting to the state distinguishes blade lengths for the record but, for Act 44 notification purposes, "a pocket knife is a pocket knife." The board was told notifications will be limited to parents, guardians and staff rather than broad public notices.
Administration told the board it will recommend review of policy 2.18.1 (weapons policy) in February to align internal discipline and code‑of‑conduct language with the new notification requirements. Board members raised concerns about communication strategy and potential alarm among families; administration said it will coordinate messaging, work with communications staff (Miss Irwin) and refer callers to Mizumagala’s office for questions.
The board did not take formal action at the Committee meeting; the administration plans a policy review and additional procedural guidance for the board at the February policy meeting.
