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EMMAUS, Pa. — A pepper spray incident in a school cafeteria on Wednesday has prompted the East Penn School District to enact a newly signed state law, requiring formal notification of the weapon possession to all parents and staff.
The incident occurred at approximately 11:15 a.m. in the district’s cafeteria. According to an official district statement, a situation involving two students escalated when one student discharged pepper spray. Emergency medical services and police were immediately contacted and responded to the scene.
New Mandate Drives Transparency
The public notification is a direct result of legislation sponsored by Lehigh Valley state Senator Jarett Coleman and signed into law by Governor Josh Shapiro. The law requires all public and private schools to notify parents and school employees within 24 hours of any incident involving a weapon on school property, at school-sponsored events, or on school transportation.
Senator Coleman, who also serves on the Parkland School District board, cited his local experience as the impetus for the bill. “My experience in the Parkland School District… prompted the bill,” Coleman said, emphasizing the need for timely transparency in school safety matters.
District Investigation and Potential Consequences
The East Penn School District confirmed it is actively investigating the incident. In its statement, the district reiterated that pepper spray is considered a weapon and is “strictly prohibited on school property.”
The district’s Code of Student Conduct categorizes “misconduct involving the possession of a weapon” as its most severe Level Six offense. Consequences for such an offense mandate an immediate 10-day suspension, possible expulsion, and a mandatory referral to law enforcement.
The district stated it “will take appropriate action in accordance with district policies and procedures” following its investigation. The incident marks one of the first public tests of the new notification law, underscoring its role in keeping school communities informed of safety-related events.