Board of Education Policies
And Other Legal Stuff
CLOSED CAMPUS. All Peach County Schools are closed campuses. Visitors must first check-in/sign-in at the school office before proceeding into any part of the school. At Byron Middle School, visitors will normally be given a visitor's badge to display while in the school. This visitor's badge tells teachers and most importantly school security that you have checked in at the school office and are authorized to visit the school. Persons found in the building without authority may be prosecuted for Criminal Trespassing under O.C.G.A. 16-7-21.
WEAPONS. Under O.C.G.A. 16-11-127.1, it is a crime to possess or carry weapons on school property or in a school safety zone (within 1000 feet of a school). There are limited and specific exceptions for persons holding valid concealed carry permits or with long guns (rifles and shotguns) in their vehicles. Please ensure you know the law regarding weapons and schools. A student may not possess a weapon or a look-alike weapon on school property at any time.
DRUGS. Under O.C.G.A. 16-13-32.4, it is a crime to manufacture, distribute, dispense, or possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance or marijuana in, on, or within 1000 feet of any real property owned by or leased to any public or private elementary school, secondary school, or school board used for elementary or secondary education. Controlled substances include not just illegal drugs but also legal, prescription drugs. The possession or distribution of look-alike or counterfeit drugs is also a crime. If a student requires taking prescription medications at school, the medication must be brought to the school office in the original pharmacy container with label attached. If a parent/guardian wants their student to take an over-the-counter medication at school, it must also be brought to the school office in the original store container. Prescription drugs will be administered only in accordance with the pharmacy label containing the doctor's instructions. Non-prescription drugs will be administered as directed by parent or guardian, not to exceed the maximum recommended dosage on the original container. Students may not possess any drugs while at school, including over-the-counter medications.
SKATEBOARDS, ROLLER SKATES, IN-LINE SKATES, ROLLER BLADES. Skateboards, roller skates, in-line skates, roller blades and similar items are not permitted to be ridden or used on school property at any time, including when school is not in session. Persons found riding these items on school property may be prosecuted for Criminal Trespassing.
ALL TERRAIN VEHICLES AND OFF-ROAD MOTORCYCLES. These vehicles
may not be operated on Board of Education property at any time, whether school
is in session or not. Georgia law requires the operator of an ATV to have
the written permission of a property owner in order to ride on his or her land,
and the Board of Education denies this permission as a matter of policy.
(ATV's and off-road motorcycles cause damage to grass and turf and result in
erosion and damage to school property, requiring expensive repair and maintenance). Violators may be prosecuted for Criminal
Trespassing.