Dear Warrior Community:
The safety of our students and staff is the highest priority of the Everett Area School District. We are writing to inform you of a new Pennsylvania state law, Act 44 of 2025, which mandates how all public school districts must communicate regarding weapon-related incidents.
What is Act 44?
Enacted in late 2025 as an amendment to the Pennsylvania Public School Code, Act 44 (Section 1303.2-A) establishes new statewide reporting and notification requirements. These requirements took effect on January 6, 2026. While our district has always prioritized notifying parents of safety concerns, this law now codifies these procedures into state statute with specific timelines.
Mandatory Notification Requirements
Under Act 44, when the District becomes aware of a weapon incident occurring on school property, at a school-sponsored activity, or on a school vehicle, we are legally required to:
Notify the parents/guardians of all students enrolled in the affected school;
Notify all school employees assigned to that specific building; and
Provide this notification within 24 hours of the incident.
In accordance with state and federal privacy laws (FERPA), these notifications will provide general information about the incident to ensure transparency while fully protecting student confidentiality. No personally identifiable student information will be released.
A Critical Note on "Accidental Possession"
Because we live in a community where hunting and outdoor activities are a way of life, it is vital to understand that the law is "unforgiving" regarding intent. Under School Code § 1317.2, the definition of a weapon includes knives, cutting tools, and firearms.
Act 44 mandates reporting even in cases of "accidental" possession. For example, if a student unintentionally leaves a pocketknife or a tool in their vehicle or backpack after a weekend outdoors and brings it onto school grounds, the District is legally required to trigger the full Act 44 notification process.
Our Partnership for Safety
This law does not change our existing disciplinary processes or our strong partnership with the Everett Borough Police and the Pennsylvania State Police. It is designed solely to ensure that you, as parents and staff, are kept informed in a timely and transparent manner.
We ask for your assistance in reminding students to double-check their bags and vehicles before arriving on campus. By working together, we can ensure our schools remain a safe place for every Warrior to learn and grow.
If you have questions regarding Act 44 or our safety procedures, please contact your child’s building principal.