The Board of Education recognizes that effective learning and teaching takes place in a safe, secure and welcoming environment and that safe schools contribute to improved attendance, increased student achievement and community support. Safe schools are a priority of the district and the district is committed to providing a safe environment in school, on school vehicles and at school-sponsored activities. To that end, the Board directs the superintendent to develop and maintain a safe schools plan that includes:
- Procedures that address the supervision and security of school buildings and grounds.
- Procedures that address the safety and supervision of students during school hours and school-sponsored activities.
- Procedures that address persons visiting school buildings and attending school-sponsored activities.
- Training programs for staff and students in crisis prevention and management.
- Training programs for staff and students in emergency response procedures that include practice drills.
- Training programs for staff and students in how to recognize and respond to behavior or other information that may indicate impending violence or other safety problems.
- Training and support for students that aims to relieve the fear, embarrassment and peer pressure associated with reporting behavior that may indicate impending violence or other safety problems.
- Procedures for safe, confidential reporting of security and safety concerns at each school building.
- Procedures for regular assessments by school security/safety professionals and law enforcement officers to evaluate the security needs of each school building and to provide recommendations for improvements if necessary.
- Procedures for regular assessments by school climate professionals to determine whether students feel safe and to provide recommendations for improvements in school climate at each district building.
- Procedures to provide for regular communications between district officials, law enforcement officers, fire department officials, city and county officials and local medical personnel to discuss crisis prevention and management strategies, including involvement by these parties in the development and revision of crisis prevention and management plans.
- Training programs for staff and students in safety precautions and procedures related to fire prevention, natural disaster response, accident prevention, public health, traffic, bicycle and pedestrian safety, environmental hazards, civil defense, classroom and occupational safety, and special hazards associated with athletics and other extracurricular activities.
- Procedures for the reporting of criminal activity to law enforcement.
- A child sexual abuse and assault prevention plan, including comprehensive, age-appropriate curricula regarding child sexual abuse and assault awareness and prevention and professional development for school personnel and parents in preventing, identifying, and responding to child sexual abuse and assault.
- Procedures for notifying parents of an employee’s criminal charges when such notification is required by state law.
Each building principal shall be responsible for the supervision and implementation of the safe school program at his or her school. The principal shall submit annually, in the manner and by the date specified by the State Board of Education, a written report to the Board of Education concerning the learning environment in the school during that school year. The report shall contain, at a minimum, the information required by law in addition to any information deemed necessary by the Department of Education.
The annual safety reports from every school in the district shall be compiled and submitted to the state department of education in a format specified by the State Board of Education. The report shall be made available to the public.
Adopted: Prior to 2018
Revised: September 2018
Reviewed: September 2020
Revised: July 2023
LEGAL REFS.: C.R.S. 9-1-101 through 9-1-106 (construction requirements, fire escapes, etc.)
C.R.S. 22-1-130 (6) (safe school plan must include parent notification of employee criminal charges)
C.R.S. 22-3-101 through 22-3-104 (eye protective devices)
C.R.S. 22-32-109.1 (1)(b.5) (definition of “community partners” that Board may wish to consult with in developing and implementing its safe school plan)
C.R.S. 22-32-109.1 (2) (safe school plan)
C.R.S. 22-32-109.1 (2)(b) (detailing information required in annual principal reports on the learning environment)
C.R.S. 22-32-109.1 (2.5) (districts are “encouraged” to adopt a child sexual abuse and assault prevention plan as part of a safe school plan)
C.R.S. 22-32-110 (1)(k) (Board authority to adopt policies related to employee safety and official conduct)
C.R.S. 22-32-124 (2), (3) (building inspections)
C.R.S. 24-10-106.5 (duty of care)
CROSS REFS.:
Administrative policies:
ECA/ECAB, Security/Access to Buildings
KDE, Crisis Management (Safety, Readiness and Incident Management Planning)
KI, Visitors to Schools
Lake County School District R-1, Leadville, Colorado