West Platte students will be allowed to possess pepper spray at school under a revised weapons policy approved by the Board of Education, but they may not display or use it.
The board voted 5-0 on July 15 to adopt the change as part of a broader update to five district policies. The vote followed a second reading of the revisions.
The district’s previous policy listed Mace and other pepper sprays among weapons students were prohibited from possessing on district property, at school activities and on district transportation.
Superintendent Brock Dover said secondary school administrators asked the district to reconsider the prohibition because some students carry small canisters of pepper spray on their keychains for personal protection.
“Mace spray may not be used or displayed, but may be possessed,” Dover said in describing the revised policy.
The policy applies only to possession. Students are still prohibited from displaying, threatening others with or discharging pepper spray at school. No exception for using it in self-defense was discussed during the meeting.
Dover said the district developed the revised language with guidance from its legal counsel. Board members did not discuss whether students must register pepper spray with the school, obtain parental permission or follow specific storage requirements.
The change was included in the district’s revised weapons policy alongside updates concerning school admissions, special education and Section 504 services, board member qualifications and financial conflicts of interest. Most of the other revisions were intended to bring district policies into alignment with state law, Dover said.
The board also updated the 2026-27 employee manual to reflect the change concerning student possession of pepper spray.
Board members Tracie Kalic, Samantha Kinslow, Boyd Hiatt, Robert Roediger and Shane Bartee voted for the revised policies. Benjamin Doran and Tyler French were absent.
