NASHUA — School officials are reviewing the district’s policy on how to discipline students who bring weapons onto school property, with the Board of Education’s policy committee taking up the wording of the document tonight.

The policy recommended by the New Hampshire School Boards Association states that “any student who is determined to have brought a firearm to school will be expelled for not less than one year,” notes but that the punishment may be modified by the superintendent upon review of the specific case in accordance with the law.

Superintendent Mark Conrad said Monday most incidents in Nashua schools have involved weapons such as BB guns or small knives, often brought by younger students to the elementary schools.

“They just don’t understand the consequences at that age, and they want to show them off to their friends,” Conrad said, explaining parents are typically unaware until notified by school personnel.

In these instances, when there is no malicious intent by a student, a one-year expulsion is not necessary, said Conrad, adding suspensions are often recommended.

Conrad recently asked attorney Stephen Bennett to review the weapons policy.

In a memo addressed to Conrad, Bennett suggested that the wording be amended to permit the Board of Education to make modifications to an expulsion order based on a written recommendation by the superintendent, and on a case-by-case basis.

Factors that could be considered include the student’s intent, the student’s actions (including whether he or she displayed the weapon or used it to threaten others), the student’s age and the past conduct of the student.

Weapons are described as firearms, rifles, pistols, revolvers, explosives, BB guns, pellet guns, knives, slingshots, metallic knuckles, firecrackers, billy-clubs, stilettos, switchblade knives, swords, sword canes, pistol canes, black jacks, daggers, dirk knives, incendiaries, martial weapons or self-defense weapons, or any other object capable of producing death or bodily injury.

The district has not had any major problems involving weapons being brought onto school property in recent years, according to board President Robert Hallowell. In 2011, a student brought a disarmed antique hand grenade to Nashua High School North. The grenade was an empty shell, and was no longer an explosive device.

“We don’t routinely have these types of incidents,” said Hallowell, stressing that it is still important to keep the policies compliant and as up-to-date as possible to maintain a safe school climate.

Tonight’s policy committee meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. at the School Administration Building, 141 Ledge St.

The committee will also review minor changes being proposed for the district’s hazing policy as well.

khoughton@newstote.com