Threats and acts of targeted school violence harm the District’s environment and school community, diminishing students’ ability to learn and a school’s ability to educate. Providing students and staff with access to a safe and secure District environment is an important Board goal. While it is not possible for the District to completely eliminate threats in its environment, a Targeted School Violence Prevention Program (Program) using the collective efforts of local school officials, staff, students, families, and the community helps the District reduce these risks to its environment.
The Superintendent or designee shall develop and implement the Program. The Program oversees the maintenance of a District environment that is conducive to learning and working by identifying, assessing, classifying, responding to, and managing threats and acts of targeted school violence. The Program shall be part of the District’s Comprehensive Safety and Security Plan, required by Board policy 4:170, Safety, and shall:
1. Establish a District-level School Violence Prevention Team to: (a) develop a District-level Targeted School Violence Prevention Plan, and (b) oversee the District’s Building-level Threat Assessment Team(s).
2. Establish Building-level Threat Assessment Team(s) to assess and intervene with individuals whose behavior may pose a threat to safety. This team may serve one or more schools.
3. Require all District staff, volunteers, and contractors to report any expressed threats or behaviors that may represent a threat to the community, school, or self.
4. Encourage parents/guardians and students to report any expressed threats or behaviors that may represent a threat to the community, school, or self.
5. Comply with State and federal law and align with Board policies.
The Local Governmental and Governmental Employees Tort Immunity Act protects the District from liability. The Program does not: (1) replace the care of a physician licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches or a licensed medical practitioner or professional trained in violence prevention, assessments and counseling services, (2) extend beyond available resources within the District, (3) extend beyond the school day and/or school-sponsored events, or (4) guarantee or ensure the safety of students, District staff, or visitors.
LEGAL REF.: 105 ILCS 5/10-20.14, 5/10-21.7, 5/10-27.1A, 5/10-27.1B, 5/24-24, and 5/27-23.7.
105 ILCS 128/, School Safety Drill Act.
745 ILCS 10/, Local Governmental and Governmental Employees Tort Immunity Act.
29 Ill.Admin.Code Part 1500.
CROSS REF.: 2:240 (Board Policy Development), 4:170 (Safety), 5:90 (Abused and Neglected Child Reporting), 5:100 (Staff Development Program), 5:230 (Maintaining Student Discipline), 6:65 (Student Social and Emotional Development), 6:270 (Guidance and Counseling Program), 7:140 (Search and Seizure), 7:150 (Agency and Police Interviews), 7:180 (Prevention of and Response to Bullying, Intimidation, and Harassment), 7:185 (Teen Dating Violence Prohibited), 7:190 (Student Behavior), 7:250 (Student Support Services), 7:290 (Suicide and Depression Awareness and Prevention), 7:340 (Student Records), 8:30 (Visitors to and Conduct on School Property), 8:100 (Relations with Other Organizations and Agencies)
Updated May 2024