In recent years, multiple school shootings have prompted discussion and increased security at some schools across the United States.
The rules may vary by school division, but in general, some activities that are acceptable in day-to-day life could be a violation of the law if done on school property.
Some prohibited items or behaviors are obvious, like drinking alcohol, or carrying a weapon on school property.
But there are also some intricacies in the law, such as rules around concealed carry permit-holders on campus, and tobacco products.
“Students and parents — their rights can be different,” said John Heilman, a Williamsburg Police officer and school resource officer at James Blair Middle School.
In Williamsburg and James City County schools, policies mostly concern students and student behavior, but some policies also spill over to parents and visitors, such as those involving alcohol and controlled substances.
There are also some policies specifically tailored to members of the public, such as the policy prohibiting them from possessing and using tobacco products on school grounds, Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools spokeswoman Eileen Cox said.
Prohibited items
To keep schools safe, many items such as knives and firearms are banned from campus — including things that are illegal anyway like some controlled substances.
In general, firearms and other weapons are banned from school buildings and grounds in Virginia.
“A student can’t bring any weapons to school, even a toy gun,” Heilman said.
But there are some exceptions.
Law enforcement can carry weapons on campus. People who hold concealed carry permits can also have their weapon on their person if they are in a vehicle in a parking lot, traffic circle or other “means of vehicular ingress or egress to the school,” according to state code.
If concealed carry permit holders leave their vehicle, their gun must stay in the car unloaded and in a closed container, Heilman said. A vehicle’s trunk is considered a closed container, he added.
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Cox said Virginia Code prohibits people to possess or drink alcoholic beverages on elementary or secondary school grounds.
Heilman said the rules concerning alcohol apply to in-school and after-school activities and special events.
The code also prohibits manufacturing, selling, distributing or possessing any controlled substances on school grounds, she said. That is also reflected in the school division’s Student Code of Conduct.
Police are responsible for enforcement when members of the public break the law concerning drugs and alcohol, Cox said.
“It’s against the law, so police would be responsible for issuing any charges,” Cox said.
Searching vehicles
Whether a person is a student, visitor, parent or employee, any vehicle on school grounds is fair game for search.
“The School Resource Officer or other member of law enforcement works with school leadership to determine if or when it is necessary and appropriate for law enforcement to search the vehicle of a parent or visitor on school property in accordance with the law,” Cox said.
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Police involvement with students
As a school resource officer, Heilman said some situations with students warrant police involvement, and sometimes petitions for criminal charges.
School division policy requires police to be notified during certain situations, including bomb threats, assaults and weapons-related offenses.
Heilman said he uses his discretion when determining how to handle a student-related situation. He factors in student disabilities and mental status, whether an altercation was unprovoked, the student’s age, and other circumstances.
Sometimes, a situation does result in Heilman submitting a petition for charges against the student.
“I try to keep the petitions to a minimum because I’m still dealing with a lot of young people who are starting to experience emotions that they might not have experienced before,” Heilman said.
Once the petition is submitted, juvenile intake services at the Williamsburg-James City County Juvenile Probation Parole office handles the case and determines whether the student should be charged or whether there is a different way to handle the case, Heilman said.
Heilman, who has been a school resource officer since James Blair opened in September, said he has only submitted a petition for charges a “couple” times since school started. Most of those were related to assaults at school.
“My job first and foremost, I’m here to protect faculty and students,” Heilman said.
