A technical question about school districts

[Venus Pax]

As many of you know, I'm a teacher. I know that I can't carry in the classroom, but my car in the parking lot is legal.

Here's a weird one:
Our school district, like many, has its administrative offices in a separate building at a separate location. The only classes ever offered there are in-service trainings for teachers and staff members.

If I have a meeting or training at the administration building, can I carry there on my body?

[40FIVER]

Common sense would say that the adminstration building is just that, an office building. My vote is yes.

[Kyle Brown]

I believe that you can. However, be careful.

Most districts that have facilities like the one you describe, know that they must post proper 30.06 signs in order to keep you from carrying a handgun into the building. For instance, the administrative office for the Abilene ISD is properly posted at each enterance.

[KRM45]

Be careful about being in violation of a district policy too.

I work for a city, and they are prohibited from posting the building I work in. (no courts, etc...) They do have a strongly worded policy that prohibits me from carrying while on the job, or conducting job related business.

I don't think they could press charges, but they could certainly take disciplinary action up to and including termination.

[cyphur]

I too work for state education, albeit a college district - at an administrative/IT location. Also in my case, only classes there are staff development or job-related training. However, despite not being able to find a single remark about staff carrying of weapons in the guidelines, I'm pretty sure they would fire me if I was caught. Case and point.....

I'm sitting in my boss' office one morning talking about an employee, I started fiddling with my pager. Just a restless habit of mine. My boss stops talking for a second, looks at that side of my body and kind of gives me a look. I said "its my pager". She smiles, then laughes, and says "I was wondering if it was a gun - you can't have those here". I just smiled and didn't say a word.

Now, IANAL, but I'm pretty sure they would use that verbal warning to terminate me if I was caught on premise with a firearm. The funny thing is, while she was nervous about me having a gun, at least two or three other guys I know in my department and another have CHLs. If only she knew.....

[Commander]

Venus Pax's post caused a question in my mind:

Texas DPS Training Academy in Austin - As a state agency, 30.06 signs cannot be posted; there is no prohibitive DPS policy against CHL holders carrying. The Training Academy is a school, but it's for police officers, ie. guns everywhere. Same applies to any police academy. I don't think the intent of the law applies to this type of "school". Another reason for the need to clarify what is a "school".

[KBCraig]

Another reason for the need to clarify what is a "school".

Amen.

An anti-CHL DA could make a strong case that you were UCW if you carried while getting a discount haircut at the local (totally private) "beauty college". Or while attending truck driving school. Or while watching your daughter's recital at "dance school"

Actually, I've shifted away from "defining 'school'" as a goal. I'd rather eliminate any statutory restriction on schools (while allowing private schools to post just like any other private entity). Next, would be the Utah model of preempting any workplace policies banning guns by school districts (or other government agencies).

Kevin

[KBCraig]

Most districts that have facilities like the one you describe, know that they must post proper 30.06 signs in order to keep you from carrying a handgun into the building. For instance, the administrative office for the Abilene ISD is properly posted at each enterance.

While the Abilene ISD administrative offices might have proper 30.06 signs, they carry no weight.

If the property is a "school", then such signs are redundant. If the property is not a school (but is government owned), then such signs are meaningless.

On government property, 30.06 signs are only valid for meetings of "government bodies", such as city councils or quorum courts.

Kevin

[Kyle Brown]

Most districts that have facilities like the one you describe, know that they must post proper 30.06 signs in order to keep you from carrying a handgun into the building. For instance, the administrative office for the Abilene ISD is properly posted at each enterance.

While the Abilene ISD administrative offices might have proper 30.06 signs, they carry no weight.

If the property is a "school", then such signs are redundant. If the property is not a school (but is government owned), then such signs are meaningless.

On government property, 30.06 signs are only valid for meetings of "government bodies", such as city councils or quorum courts.

Kevin

Texas public school "law" is very interesting to say the least. It is full of "holes" and lacks definition in certain areas, all of which, in my opinion, is by design.

In short, both real and presonal public school property is not owned by the state or any government entity. All rights and titles to public school porperty is vested in the board of trustees and their successors. The board of trustees has the exclusive power and duty to oversee the management of the public schools and said property in their respective districts.

In my opinion, any ISD board of trustees my elect to post the property described in the original post with a TPC 30.06 sign and enforce the same.

[lrb111]

Venus Pax's post caused a question in my mind:

Texas DPS Training Academy in Austin - As a state agency, 30.06 signs cannot be posted; there is no prohibitive DPS policy against CHL holders carrying. The Training Academy is a school, but it's for police officers, ie. guns everywhere. Same applies to any police academy. I don't think the intent of the law applies to this type of "school". Another reason for the need to clarify what is a "school".

Another example in that mode is the DPS run CHL Instructor's school. Over 200 students for a week of state instruction. There was a lot of hardware in the room.

[stevie_d_64]

I find it increasingly ironic that a person who's intent is to take on the awsome responsibility, and accountability to qualify to the states standard to carry a firearm for lawful purposes, who's job it is to teach our children, be an outstanding example of what you can become and aspire to be...

Cannot be trusted to do all of that, all wrapped up in one "complete" package...

Venus...One of these days I hope we can all be trusted as much as you already are in my book!

Its almost a daily thing with me to figure out ways to break down some of these restrictions and infringements that are placed upon us by those who do not trust us...

I believe we may get there some day...Never give up!

[RPBrown]

I find it increasingly ironic that a person who's intent is to take on the awsome responsibility, and accountability to qualify to the states standard to carry a firearm for lawful purposes, who's job it is to teach our children, be an outstanding example of what you can become and aspire to be...

Cannot be trusted to do all of that, all wrapped up in one "complete" package...

Venus...One of these days I hope we can all be trusted as much as you already are in my book!

Its almost a daily thing with me to figure out ways to break down some of these restrictions and infringements that are placed upon us by those who do not trust us...

I believe we may get there some day...Never give up!

Well said Stevie and I agree 100%

[Roger Howard]

I find it increasingly ironic that a person who's intent is to take on the awsome responsibility, and accountability to qualify to the states standard to carry a firearm for lawful purposes, who's job it is to teach our children, be an outstanding example of what you can become and aspire to be...

Cannot be trusted to do all of that, all wrapped up in one "complete" package...

Venus...One of these days I hope we can all be trusted as much as you already are in my book!

Its almost a daily thing with me to figure out ways to break down some of these restrictions and infringements that are placed upon us by those who do not trust us...

I believe we may get there some day...Never give up!

Well said Stevie and I agree 100%

[Venus Pax]

Thank you.