Zero Tolerance Case Analysis and Rationale Template

Part 1: Case Analysis

1. Brief summary of the case: Carterville Unified School District was a middle-class
community with faith-based values. The school district was composed of diverse
socioeconomic families from areas around the town. All schools’ principals were directed
to include a zero-tolerance policy for truancy, weapons, fighting and sexual harassment.
Rancho Elementary included such a policy. During school presentations, a student at the
elementary brought an old handgun that her father found in their attic. The teacher
ordered the student to put it in her bag and take it back home. A parent called and wanted
something done about the gun.

2. Identify the issues to be resolved: The student violated the zero-tolerance policy by
bringing a handgun to school. The teacher also violated the code of ethics by not
contacting the proper administrators to handle the situation when it happened.

3. Stakeholders involved in the issues: Students, parents and community members

4. One or two existing laws or court rulings that relate to the issues: The Federal Gun-Free
School Zones Act of 1990 requires states to restrict firearms on school property. Texas
Penal Code 46.03(a)(1), a person commits an offense if the person intentionally,
knowingly, or recklessly possesses or goes with a firearm on the physical premises of a
school (TASB, 2019).

5. District policies that relate to the issues: Slaton ISD Board Policy FNCG (LEGAL)-
Student Conduct: Weapons. A student shall be expelled from school for one year for
unlawfully carrying weapons under Penal Code 46.02 while attending school. The
superintendent could adjust the time of expulsion in writing.

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 6. Possible solutions to the issues: Texas Penal code requires expulsion from school. The
superintendent may shorten the length of expulsion from one year.

7. The solutions you are choosing to resolve the issues: The student would be subject to
expulsion under the Texas law. I would meet with the parents, student and superintendent
immediately to discuss the issue, but the fact of the matter is that all parents and students
signed that they read the student handbook that contained the zero-tolerance policy for
firearms, and the student knowingly brought a gun to school. I would arrange for the
student to be educated on our alternative campus location for students who are expelled.

8. Action steps (2-5) for implementing your solution, including a timeline for each step:
Day 1- Inform and speak with the superintendent to ensure we are on the same page as
far as expulsion according to Texas Penal code.
Day 1- Speak with the parents and student with the superintendent to understand the
reasoning behind bringing the gun to school and to explain the zero-tolerance policy.
Day 2- Arrange for student to attend alternative campus for the remainder of the school
year and re-evaluate length of expulsion at the conclusion of the year and start of next.

9. Potential moral and legal consequences of the solutions: Morally, I could see how the
parents might be very upset that the student did not know what she was doing and did not
understand because she was in elementary. However, Texas law is Texas law, and I would
not be willing to not enforce that law and board policy. I would however reevaluate her
time of expulsion at the end of that year and consider letting her come back at the
beginning of the next year.

Part 2: Rationale

Support the case analysis with a 500-750 word rationale explaining the decisions you made and
how those decisions:

● Support the school’s vision and mission and safeguard the values of democracy, equity,
and diversity.

● Promote social justice and ensure that individual student needs inform all aspects of
schooling

● Promote collaboration, trust, learning, and high expectations.

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 The Slaton ISD vision and mission statement is, “ to inspire and empower all students to

lead extraordinary lives and embrace the possibilities of the 21st century through relevant,

engaging learning experiences led by inspirational and nurturing educators” (Slaton ISD, 2020).

In keeping with this vision, I am charged to protect all students including the one who brought

the handgun to school, even if for a reason that did not mean anyone any harm. However, what if

the gun went off on accident? Am I keeping my students safe so they can become successful

members of society? I must hold this student accountable no matter how hard it may be to do so.

In a similar situation, a student brought a gun to an elementary school in Oakland Park,

FL. A student brought a gun for show and tell but ended up being expelled and faced charges in

the juvenile justice system. Like case 14, the student did not have the intention of hurting

anyone, and the gun was found to be unloaded, but the law must be followed. In today’s day and

age, we cannot be too careful. What if someone else with malicious intent had found the guns

and used them to harm others. Zero-tolerance must be enforced in all cases of guns on campus.

I the zero-tolerance policy was not enforced with complete fidelity, any other situation

the arose after this one would be open to scrutiny. In speaking with my principal mentor, she has

said that the most important thing she must always do when handing down discipline is to follow

policy in all cases in order to not be open to scrutiny.

Furthermore, I would also ensure that the teacher involved was re-educated regarding

district protocols when a gun is discovered on campus. She absolutely did not do the right thing

in letting the student continue about her day with the gun in order to take the gun back home. As

above, what if another student got a hold of the gun? The parents must also be held responsible

for educating the student about why her choice was a wrong one and why she was being

punished. I must also address the community because I am sure that news spread like wildfire

about a gun being on the elementary campus and “nothing being done about it.” I must provide a

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letter ensuring them that their students’ safety is our number one priority while their student is in

our care.

Cite the case and any other source documents as appropriate.

Hanson, K. L. (2009). Case 14. In A casebook for school leaders: Linking the ISLLC standards

to effective practice (pp. 58-61). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/Merrill/Prentice Hall.

Slaton ISD School Board Policy. (2019). Student Conduct: Weapons (FNCG LEGAL). Slaton,

TX: Slaton ISD School Board

Student Brings Gun For Show & Tell At Elementary School. (2016, November 01). Retrieved

July 22, 2020, from

https://miami.cbslocal.com/2016/11/01/student-brings-gun-to-oakland-park-school/

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