SUSPENSION NOT APPLICABLE

Suspension of a student shall not apply to the following:

1. A student carrying or possessing a firearm or knife for purposes of involvement in a school class, course, or school-approved cocurricular or extracurricular activity or any other activity approved by appropriate school officials.
2. A student possessing any controlled dangerous substance that has been obtained directly or due to a valid prescription or order from a licensed medical provider.  However, the student shall always carry evidence of the prescription or medical provider’s order on his/her person when in possession of any controlled dangerous substance which shall be subject to verification.  Evidence of the prescription or medical provider’s order includes possession of the controlled dangerous substance in its original packaging as received from the pharmacy.

In addition, school officials, in accordance with statutory provisions, shall have total discretion and shall exercise such discretion in imposing on a student any disciplinary actions authorized by state law for possession by a student of a firearm or knife on school property when such firearm or knife is stored in a motor vehicle and there is no evidence of the student's intent to use the firearm or knife in a criminal manner.