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Policy 4314P

Notification of Threats of Violence or Harm

Staff, students, volunteers, and others involved in school activities have the responsibility to report any threats of violence or harm to designated school officials. Based on the significance and credibility of the threat, it shall be reported to law enforcement. Staff shall involve in-district multi-disciplinary professionals in evaluating the threat and the needs of the person making the threat. Consultation with or referrals to community-based professionals and services are encouraged where appropriate.

Under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, the district may only release student records, with parent or adult student permission, or  in a health or safety emergency. For that reason, the district will identify students who have made threats of violence or harm when notifying the subjects of the threats,  under the following conditions:

A.  The parent or adult student has given permission to disclose the student’s identity or other information to the subject of the student’s threat.

B.  The identity of the student and the details of the threat are being disclosed to relevant district staff who have been determined to have legitimate educational interest in the information.

C.  The identity of the student or the details of the threat are being released because the release of the information is necessary to protect the health or safety of the student or other individuals. In making this determination, school officials will use their best judgment, and may take into account the “totality of the circumstances” pertaining to the safety or health of a student or other individuals; or

D.  The district is responding to a court order or subpoena. The district must make a reasonable effort to notify the parents of the student or adult student of the subpoena in advance of complying, so that the family can seek protective action, unless the court order or subpoena expressly forbids such notification.

Relevant information about the threat will be provided to the subject of the threat, and the subject will be advised that if law enforcement has been involved in the matter, the law enforcement agency may have more information that can be shared with the subject.

To promote the safety of all concerned, the principal will consider all available information when determining the extent of information to be shared.  Subject to the confidentiality provisions cited above, principals will determine if classroom teachers, school staff, school security, and others working with the student(s) involved in the threat circumstance, should be notified.  Principals must provide information received about a student’s conviction, adjudication, or diversion agreement to every teacher of the student for the offenses listed in policy 3143- District Notification of Juvenile Offenders.

When considering the appropriate discipline for a student who has made a threat of violence or harm the student’s prior disciplinary records shall be taken into account. Emergency expulsion shall be considered, based on the credibility and significance of the threat. Discipline shall only be imposed on students with disabilities that are consistent with policy and the legal requirements for special education.

Disciplinary measures against students for making threats of violence or harm will be consistent with district policy and procedure regarding student discipline and state laws and regulations.

Discipline against district staff for making threats of violence or harm shall be consistent with district policy and procedure regarding staff discipline, and any relevant collective bargaining requirements.

 

Date: December 12th , 2006; Revised May 28, 2019