| School Board of Alachua County |
| Bylaws & Policies |
8405 - SCHOOL SAFETY AND SECURITY
The Board is committed to maintaining a safe environment in all of the District’s schools.
Student and Employee Safety
| A. | The Board recognizes the necessity of a comprehensive safety program designed to provide for the safety and health of its students, employees, and visitors and the protection of its physical facilities and environment. This commitment applies to all employees at every work site. The safety program shall ensure compliance with all applicable local, State, and Federal rules, regulations, and procedures as they pertain to the safety and health of students and employees. The Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R.), as adopted by the State of Florida for enforcement in all public sector employment locations, and the provisions relating to safety and health as contained in F.S. Chapter 442 shall be strictly adhered to. | |
| B. | The Superintendent shall cause to be developed and implemented a comprehensive safety and health program that is positive, proactive, and that integrates responsibilities within the District. The safety program shall include, but not be limited to, the following: |
| 1. | safety requirements for students, employees, and visitors | ||
| 2. | worksite safety inspections | ||
| 3. | hazard reporting program | ||
| 4. | accident/incident reporting | ||
| 5. | accident/incident review process | ||
| 6. | safety committee coordinator and assistance | ||
| 7. | consultation services and training | ||
| 8. | loss reduction assistance | ||
| 9. | recordkeeping and trend analysis | ||
| 10. | goals for reduction of accidents and promotion of safety on an annual basis |
School Security
The Board believes that school crime and violence are multifaceted problems that need to be addressed in a manner that utilizes all available resources in the community through a coordinated effort of School District personnel, law enforcement agencies, and families.
The Board may employ a District Security Chief. The District Security Chief may be qualified to be commissioned as a School Safety Officer pursuant to State law. The Board further believes that school administrators, the District Security Chief, and local law enforcement officials must work together to provide for the safety and welfare of students while they are at school or a school-related event. The Board also believes that the first step in addressing school crime and violence is to assess the extent and nature of the problem(s), and then plan and implement strategies that promote school safety and minimize the likelihood of school crime and violence. The Superintendent shall develop a Crisis and Emergency Plan with input from representatives of the local agencies and designated District staff.
The Superintendent shall appoint a committee for the purpose of reviewing the Crisis and Emergency Plan. The committee shall make modifications as deemed necessary and proper; identifying additional training that might be needed; and discussing any other such related matters as may be deemed to be necessary by the participants. The Superintendent shall make a report to the Board about this review and recommend the approval and adoption of any proposed revisions or additions.
Persistently Dangerous Schools
The Board recognizes that not only Federal, but also State law requires that the District report annually incidents which meet the statutory definition of violent criminal offenses that occur in a school, on school grounds, on a school conveyance, or at a school-sponsored activity, as well as those incidents that would be a Gun-Free Schools Act violation. It is further understood that the Florida Department of Education will then use the data for the offenses identified in the Department’s Unsafe School Choice Option Policy to determine whether or not a school is considered "persistently dangerous".
Pursuant to the Board’s stated intent to provide a safe school environment, the school administrators are expected to respond appropriately to any and all violations of the Student Code of Conduct, especially those of a serious, violent nature. In any year where the number of reportable incidents of violent criminal offenses in any school exceed the threshold number established in State policy, the Superintendent shall convene a meeting of the building administrator, representative(s) of the local law enforcement agencies, and any other individuals deemed appropriate for the purpose of developing a plan of corrective action that can be implemented in an effort to reduce the number of these incidents in the subsequent year.
The Superintendent shall make a report to the Board about this plan of corrective action and shall recommend approval and adoption of it.
In the unexpected event that the number of reportable incidents in three (3) consecutive school years exceed the State policy threshold and the school is identified as persistently dangerous, the Superintendent shall offer parents and eligible students the opportunity to transfer to another school within the District that serves the same grades. If there is another school within the District serving the same grades, the transfer shall be completed in a timely manner. If there is not another school within the District that serves the same grades, then parents and eligible students will be advised that, although Federal and State law provides for an opportunity to transfer, they will be unable to do so.
Victims of Violent Crime
The Board further recognizes that, despite the diligent efforts of school administrators and staff to provide a safe school environment, an individual student may be a victim of a violent crime in a school, on any District property, on a school conveyance, or at a school-sponsored activity.
In accordance with Federal and State law the parents or the eligible student shall be offered the opportunity to transfer to another school within the District that serves the same grades. If there is another school serving the same grades, the transfer shall be completed in a timely manner. If there is not another school serving the same grades, the parents or eligible student will be advised that, although they have the right to transfer, they will be unable to do so.
Prohibition of Weapons and Firearms at School
No person shall bring to any Board function or onto any Board premises or have in his/her possession or in his/her vehicle on any Board property, any firearm, weapon, or destructive device unless such weapon is required as part of his/her regular job responsibilities.
Identification Cards
The Superintendent shall develop and implement appropriate identification techniques including, but not limited to, use of ID cards which may be required during the work day, at any school function, and at any school facility.
Implementation
The Superintendent shall develop administrative procedures as needed to enable proper implementation of this policy.
F.S. 1006.12(2)
Florida DOE Unsafe School Choice Option Policy, May 2003
Florida DOE Unsafe School Choice Option Policy Technical Assistance Paper,
May 2003
Adopted 7/17/07
Revised 3/16/09