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, employee, 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. Information about the person making the threat shall be communicated by the principal to teachers and staff, including security personnel on a need-to-know basis.
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. 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.
Off campus threats made to students or staff are subject to referral to police and other agencies, and are subject to school disciplinary action when such a threat disrupts school operations.
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 policies and may be referred for prosecution.
Adopted:
12/15/06
LEGAL REFS.:
RCW 28A.320.128
WAC 180-40
20 U.S.C. 1232g Family Education Rights and Privacy Act
34 C.F.R. Part 99 FERPA Regulations
CROSS REF.:
Threats of Violence or Harm Procedures (JFCB-R)
Student Conduct (JFC)