public school teachers: feedback please?

[MeMelYup]

My congratualtions to your wife. Many of the school teachers I have had the dsipleasure to know could not be trusted with a water pistol and live in La-la land..If they say it can't happen, it is not supposed to... She is one of the few..

Yah, look at some of our college Professors, Deans, and ADMINISTRATORS.

[grim-bob]

Thanks for the feedback guys. Pretty much as I expected. Hopefully what ever final district she lands at wont have the verbiage in their books and be a little more sensible although I doubt it.

Any idea on how many districts allow lock boxes in the car as an option. Specific districts that you know of in the DFW area? Within 2-3 hrs of DFW (maybe we'll move :-)?

[mrpesas]

The only mention of weapons I find in my district Employee Handbook is this:

"Weapons
The Crime Control Act of 1990 makes it a Federal offense for an individual knowingly to possess a firearm in a school zone. The term "school zone" means the grounds of a public, parochial, or private school, or within 1,000 feet from such grounds. A violation of this statute subjects one to imprisonment of up to five years (which must run consecutively to any other violation of law), a fine up to $250,000, or both imprisonment and fine."

How do you think that would play out if I had a pistol in my truck? I know I legally can have the gun there. But would the District still have grounds to fire me? (I know y'all are not lawyers and I am responsible for my own actions, I was just wondering what you think)


The other thing to think about, is what the TEA would do. The school district may not have recourse, but would the TEA yank your teaching certificate?

[C-dub]

The only mention of weapons I find in my district Employee Handbook is this:

"Weapons
The Crime Control Act of 1990 makes it a Federal offense for an individual knowingly to possess a firearm in a school zone. The term "school zone" means the grounds of a public, parochial, or private school, or within 1,000 feet from such grounds. A violation of this statute subjects one to imprisonment of up to five years (which must run consecutively to any other violation of law), a fine up to $250,000, or both imprisonment and fine."

How do you think that would play out if I had a pistol in my truck? I know I legally can have the gun there. But would the District still have grounds to fire me? (I know y'all are not lawyers and I am responsible for my own actions, I was just wondering what you think)


The other thing to think about, is what the TEA would do. The school district may not have recourse, but would the TEA yank your teaching certificate?

It doesn't mention termination. It sounds like they are counting on the law to remove you from your employment.

[ScottDLS]

The only mention of weapons I find in my district Employee Handbook is this:

"Weapons
The Crime Control Act of 1990 makes it a Federal offense for an individual knowingly to possess a firearm in a school zone. The term "school zone" means the grounds of a public, parochial, or private school, or within 1,000 feet from such grounds. A violation of this statute subjects one to imprisonment of up to five years (which must run consecutively to any other violation of law), a fine up to $250,000, or both imprisonment and fine."

How do you think that would play out if I had a pistol in my truck? I know I legally can have the gun there. But would the District still have grounds to fire me? (I know y'all are not lawyers and I am responsible for my own actions, I was just wondering what you think)


The other thing to think about, is what the TEA would do. The school district may not have recourse, but would the TEA yank your teaching certificate?

That quote WAS technically true, however the law quoted was struck down by the US Supreme Court. It was quickly replaced with a similar law (1995) which has subsequently been upheld, at least at the appellate level in several circuits.

So my reaction to the handbook is "So what?". It references a law that was struck down, that you were not violating anyway, and you're not violating the new law either (if you have a Texas CHL). So if you were discovered, your very legitimate question would be... "What did I do wrong?" "I broke no law or school rule for teachers." TEA is a government agency. Are they allowed to pull your certificate with no valid reason? I would hope not.