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Board opens first reading on weapons policy; members push to tighten language
Summary
During a first reading of policy KMBB the board proposed designating non-school board properties as weapon-free zones and asked staff to clarify coverage for chemical agents, vehicle exceptions under state law and to strengthen prohibitions inside buildings ahead of an April second reading.
The Savannah-Chatham County Board of Education held a first reading on revisions to policy KMBB, titled possession of weapons by visitors, at its March 11 meeting and asked staff to return in April with clearer language.
Staff presented a modification that would allow the district to designate any board-owned or leased area outside traditional school buildings as a weapon-free and violence-free safety zone and to post appropriate signage. Several board members sought stronger, less ambiguous language, particularly around chemical agents such as pepper spray and mace, explosive devices, and the interaction of the proposed policy with state law that treats firearms in vehicles differently.
Dr. Howard Hall asked whether the current draft addresses chemical agents and explosive compounds; staff replied that the statute (cited in the record) provides definitions and that they will cross-reference and, where appropriate, expand language. Another board member urged moving discouraging language about carrying weapons out of the central paragraph and instead clearly state that weapons are not allowed inside school buildings, noting current wording could be read as 'wishy-washy.' Staff acknowledged the drafting concerns and said they would clean up the language prior to a second reading and adoption at the April 8 meeting.
Board members also discussed screening procedures for board offices and the historical context of security screening when offices were located at Bull Street, and agreed changes should align with current state law governing school safety and who may bring weapons into designated areas.
Next steps: staff will refine definitions and reconcile policy language with OCGA (as cited in the discussion) for presentation at the April 8 meeting.
