Policy 4314

Students and school employees who are subjects of threats of violence or harm shall be notified of the threats in a timely manner. Parents shall be included in notifications to students who are subjects of threats of violence or harm. If there is a specific and significant threat to the health or safety of a student or other individuals, the district may disclose information from education records to appropriate parties whose knowledge of the information is necessary.  Timing and details of the notice will be as extensive as permitted by the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, other legal limitations, and the circumstances.

Individual-directed threats of violence or harm are communications that create fear of physical harm to a specific individual or individuals, communicated directly or indirectly by any means.

Building-directed threats of violence or harm are direct or indirect communications by any means of the intent to cause damage to a school building or school property (e.g., bomb threats), or to harm students, employees, volunteers, patrons or visitors.

The district will address threats of violence or harm in a manner consistent with the district’s safety policies and comprehensive safe school plans.

Persons found to have made threats of violence or harm against district property, students, employees or others will be subject to relevant district discipline policies and will be referred to appropriate community agencies including law enforcement and mental health services. District staff shall work with in-district and community-based professionals and services in all relevant disciplines to address threats of violence or harm, those threatened and those making the threats. Necessary information about the person making the threat shall be communicated by the principal to teachers and staff, including security personnel.

State law provides the district, school district directors and district staff with immunity from liability for providing notice of threats in good faith. Persons who make a knowingly false notification of a threat are subject to appropriate district discipline policies and may be referred for prosecution.

The superintendent is directed to develop and implement procedures consistent with this policy.

Cross References:   

2161  Special Education and Related Services for Eligible Students

2162  Education of Students with Disabilities Under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

3207   Prohibition of Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying

3240   Student Conduct

3241   Classroom Management, Corrective Actions or Punishment

5281   Disciplinary Action or Discharge

6513   Workplace Violence Prevention

Legal References:      

RCW 28A.320.128         Notice and disclosure policies — Threats of violence — student conduct — Immunity for good faith notice — Penalty

WAC 392-400                 Pupils

20 U.S.C. 1232g              Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act

34 C.F.R. Part 99            FERPA Regulations

 

 

La Center School District:

Adopted: December 12^th , 2006; Revised May 28, 2019