Parent Handbook for
Happy Valley School
Appendix A
ARS 13-2911. Interference with or disruption of an educational institution; violation; classification; definitions.
Amended by Laws 2000, Ch.226, § 1, effective April 10, 2000, by emergency
A. A person commits interference with or disruption of an educational institution by doing any of the following:
1. For the purpose of causing, or in reckless disregard of causing, interference with or disruption of an educational institution, threatening to cause physical injury to any employee of an educational institution or any person attending an educational institution.
2. For the purpose of causing, or in reckless disregard of causing, interference with or disruption of an educational institution, threatening to cause damage to any educational institution, the property of any educational institution, the property of any employee of an educational institution or the property of any person attending an educational institution.
3. Knowingly going on or remaining on the property of any educational institution for the purpose of interfering with or disrupting the lawful use of the property or in any manner as to deny or interfere with the lawful use of the property by others.
4. Knowingly refusing to obey a lawful order given pursuant to subsection C of this section.
B. To constitute a violation of this section, the acts that are prohibited by subsection A, paragraph 1 or 2 of this section are not required to be directed at a specific individual, a specific educational institution or any specific property of an educational institution.
C. When the chief administrative office of an educational institution or an officer or employee designated by him to maintain order has reasonable grounds to believe that any person or persons are committing any act that interferes with or disrupts the lawful use of the property by others at the educational institution or has reasonable grounds to believe any person has entered on the property of an educational institution for the purpose of committing such an act, the officer or employee may order the person to leave the property of the educational institution.
D. The appropriate governing board of every educational institution shall adopt rules for the maintenance of public order on all property of any educational institution under its jurisdiction that is used for educational purposes and shall provide a program for the enforcement of its rules. The rules shall govern the conduct of students, faculty and other staff and all members of the public while on the property of the educational institution. Penalties for violation of the rules shall be clearly set forth and enforced. Penalties shall include provisions for the ejection of a violator from the property and, in the case of a student, faculty member or other staff violator, the violator’s suspension, expulsion or other appropriate disciplinary action. Adoption of all rules required by this section shall be governed by title 41, chapter 6, and the rules shall be amended as necessary to ensure the maintenance of public order. Any deadly weapon, dangerous instrument or explosive that is used, displayed or possessed by a person in violation of a rule adopted pursuant to this subsection shall be forfeited and sold, destroyed or otherwise dispose of pursuant to chapter 39 of this title. This subsection does not preclude school districts from conducting approved gun safety programs on school campuses. This subsection does not apply to private universities, colleges, high schools or common schools or other private educational institutions.
E. An educational institution is not eligible to receive any state aid or assistance unless rules are adopted in accordance with this section.
F. This section does not prevent or limit the authority of the governing board of any educational institution to discharge any employee or expel, suspend or otherwise punish any student for any violation of its rules, even though the violation is unlawful under this chapter or is otherwise an offense.
G. This section may be enforced by any peace officer in this state wherever and whenever a violation occurs.
H. Restitution under sections 8-341, 8-345 and 13-603 applies to any financial loss that is suffered by a person or educational institution as a result of a violation of this section.
I. Interference with or disruption of an educational institution pursuant to subsection A, paragraph 1 or 2 of this section is a class 6 felony. Interference with or disruption of an educational institution pursuant to subsection A, paragraph 3 or 4 of this section is a class 1 misdemeanor.
J. For the purposes of this section:
1. “Educational institution” means, except as otherwise provided, any university, college, community college, high school or common school in this state.
2. “Governing board” means the body, whether appointed or elected, that has responsibility for the maintenance and government of an educational institution.
3. “Interference with or disruption of” includes causing an employee of an educational institution to take any action to protect the educational institution or the employees, students or property of an educational institution.
4. “Property of an educational institution” means all land, buildings and other facilities that are owned, operated or controlled by the governing board of an educational institution and that are devoted to educational purposes.