Policy Details Page

Regulation 4314R

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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. Consultation with, or referrals to, community-based professionals and services is encouraged where appropriate.

Under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy (FERPA), the district may only release student records, including those involving threats of violence or harm, with parent(s)/guardian(s) or adult student permission, or under limited conditions. For that reason, the district will not identify students who have made threats of violence or harm when notifying the subjects of the threats, except under the following conditions:

1. The parent(s)/guardian(s) or adult student has given permission to disclose the student’s identity or other information to the subject of the student’s threat.
2. 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.
3. 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. This exemption is to be strictly construed pursuant to federal regulations.
4. The district is responding to a court order or subpoena. Generally, the district must make a reasonable effort to notify the parent(s)/guardian(s) of the student or adult student of the subpoena in advance of complying, so that the family can seek protective action.

Relevant information about the threat that does not improperly identify a student shall be provided to the subject of the threat, and the subject shall be advised that if law enforcement has been involved in the matter, that agency may have more information that can be shared with the subject.

To ensure the safety of all concerned, the principal shall determine if classroom teachers, school staff, school security and others working with the student(s) involved in the threat circumstance should be notified. Subject to the confidentiality provisions cited above, principals shall consider all available information when determining the types of information to be shared, including prior disciplinary records, official juvenile court records and documented history of violence of the person who made the threat.

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 be imposed on students with disabilities consistent with policy and the legal requirements applicable to them.

Discipline of 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.

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Approved: 4/15/03