Dear CASD Families, Faculty, and Staff,
Governor Shapiro recently signed into law Act 44 of 2025, which creates a new section of the School Code titled “Parental and Employee Notification of Weapon Incidents.” This new law takes effect on January 6, 2026. The law requires all school districts to notify parents, guardians, and school employees of an incident involving the possession of a weapon on any school property, school transportation, or at school-sponsored activities. Under the new law, unless the circumstances of the incident necessitate otherwise, notification to parents, guardians, and employees must be made within twenty-four (24) hours of the incident.
If the incident occurs at a school building, the District will notify the parents or guardians of students enrolled in that building. If the incident occurs at a school building that shares a campus with other school buildings, the law requires the District to notify parents and guardians of students enrolled in or attending all buildings located on the shared campus. For example, if an incident occurs at Wilson Middle School, families and staff at Carlisle High School and Bellaire Elementary School would also be notified. If the incident occurs at a school-sponsored activity or on school transportation, the District will notify the appropriate population of parents, guardians, and school employees.
The District will use SchoolMessenger to provide the required notices. Due to state and federal confidentiality laws, these notifications will not disclose personally identifiable student information. Instead, they will provide very basic information regarding the date and location of a reported weapon incident.
In the past, when incidents warranted parent notification, families were informed accordingly. At times, however, depending on the situation, we have used our discretion when responding to situations involving look-alike items (such as toys) or tools not intended to be used as weapons (such as multi-tools or pocketknives inadvertently left in a backpack or article of clothing). The new law may result in more frequent notifications, even in cases that do not pose an active safety threat. This does not mean there is any increased danger in schools; it simply means we are now required to send more frequent notices than we have in the past. Again, an increase in notifications should not be interpreted as a reflection on the safety of our schools.
Please know that the District will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners, threat assessment teams, and safety/security personnel. The well-being of our students and staff will remain our highest priority.
Sincerely,
Colleen M. Friend, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Carlisle Area School District