Common sense is DOA, and it's really tragic. I would wonder that the same school probably has X-Acto knives in the art department, scalpels in the biology lab, and all sorts of sharp pointy things in the wood shop.
Here's a question; do you think it's stupidity, or fear of a law suit? It seems many times that the mantra of public schools is "..not my fault, not my fault..!!" weather it's responsibility in providing an education, to policing the campus. Throw in a litigious parent or two, and the current situation can be explained. Not justified, but maybe explained.
What's really tragic is that I personally know several competent, motivated, really caring teachers and educators. They feel the way I do, and are leaving the public education for private schools as fast as they can.
Sad, indeed - B.B.S.