Wake School Board approves marksmanship policy

RALEIGH -- Just in time for the new school year that starts next week, the Wake County School Board approved a policy that would allow students to compete in state-sponsored marksmanship competitions.

Approved unanimously with no comment today, the rule change was the result of negative, nationwide publicity that accompanied the decision of a school principal and administrator to stop students at East Wake High School from taking part in the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission Hunter Education Tournament in March. Under the old policy, students are banned from using firearms, either on campus or off, in school- sponsored events.

Included in the new policy: - Students would need notarized parental permission to participate in a firearms event. - Students who take part in a tournament must pass a hunter education course taught by a state-approved instructor. - Events must occur at approved firing ranges.

The school board expedited approval of the policy, waiving the normal two votes needed to adopt a new policy, to have it in place before traditional-calendar high school students start classes Monday.

The final policy keeps in place Wake prohibition against firearms and other deadly weapons on school grounds, including those stored in personal vehicles for student competitors on their way to practice.