PANAMA CITY — Brandishing an imaginary gun will no longer be punishable at Bay District Schools if the School Board approves additions to its zero-tolerance policy.
The recommended additional lines in Bay District Schools’ student discipline policy would prohibit disciplinary actions to be taken against students who simulate “a firearm or weapon while playing or wearing clothing or accessories that depict a firearm or weapon.”
The school district appears to be falling in line with a so-called “Pop-Tart” bill Gov. Rick Scott signed into law in June. The law is based on a case where an 8-year-old Maryland boy was suspended for chewing a Pop-Tart into the shape of a gun last year.
District officials were unavailable for comment Friday due to summer hours. The School Board meeting will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday in the Nelson Building at BDS headquarters, 1311 Balboa Ave.
