Whether a student has acted in self-defense may be considered when making a disciplinary decision. The criteria that define when an incident would be considered an act of self-defense must include the following conditions to support such a claim:
- Be without fault in provoking or bringing on the fight or incident.
- Have reasonably feared, under the circumstances, as they appeared to the student, that there was imminent danger or harm.
- Have used no more force than was reasonably necessary to protect themself from imminent danger or harm.
- No other readily accessible option to de-escalate or eliminate the danger or harm.
- Retaliation or willfully participating in a fight is not considered self-defense. Students are to disengage and seek assistance from school staff as soon as the threat of immediate danger or harm has subsided.
Procedures for consideration of a self-defense claim when determining appropriate administrative responses shall include an opportunity for the student to present their version of what occurred, as well as a review of facts involving school personnel and others as appropriate, including other students and staff who may have witnessed the incident or may have observed previous interactions between the students involved. In some instances, interactions between students may be investigated beyond a single incident to examine patterns of interaction, past threats, and bullying.
Weapons or harmful objects of any kind are strictly prohibited on school property for the purpose of self-defense. Self-defense is not a valid defense for the possession or use of a weapon on school property or at any school-sponsored activity. Possession of a weapon on school property or at a school-sponsored activity would be a violation of Regulation 775-1, “Weapons and Other Prohibited Objects.”