File: ADD - Safe Schools

NOTE: Colorado school boards are required by law to adopt a policy on this subject and the law contains some specific direction as to the content or language. This sample contains the content/language that CASB believes best meets the intent of the law. However, the board should consult with its own legal counsel to determine appropriate language that meets local circumstances and needs. (Also see notes on page 3.)

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:

1. Procedures that address the supervision and security of school buildings and grounds.

2. Procedures that address the safety and supervision of students during school hours and school-sponsored activities.

3. Procedures that address persons visiting school buildings and attending school-sponsored activities.

4. Training programs for staff and students in crisis prevention and management.

5. Training programs for staff and students in emergency response procedures that include practice drills.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. Procedures for safe, confidential reporting of security and safety concerns at each school building.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. Procedures for the reporting of criminal activity to law enforcement.

14. 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.

15. 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.

(Adoption date)

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.: ECA/ECAB, Security/Access to Buildings

KDE, Crisis Management (Safety, Readiness and Incident Management Planning)

KDBA*, Parent Notification of Employee Criminal Charges

KI, Visitors to Schools

NOTE 1: Boards are strongly encouraged to consult with their legal counsel when adopting or revising the district's safe school plan and/or applicable board policies.

NOTE 2: Many specific policies are required as part of the district's safe school plan (see CASB's list of legally required policies). In developing the district's safe school plan, state law requires the district to consult with "the school district accountability committee and school accountability committees, parents, teachers, administrators, students, student councils where available, and, where appropriate, the community at large." C.R.S. 22-32-109.1(2). Local boards may also consult with victims advocacy organizations, school psychologists, local law enforcement agencies and "community partners" in adopting and implementing its safe school plan. State law defines "community partners" as collectively, local fire departments, state and local law enforcement agencies, local 911 agencies, interoperable communications providers, the Safe2Tell Program, local emergency medical service personnel, local mental health organizations, local public health agencies, local emergency management personnel, local or regional homeland security personnel and school resource officers. C.R.S. 22-32-109.1(1)(b.5).

NOTE 3: State law also requires a general safe schools´ policy and this policy (ADD) serves that purpose. The only specific legal requirement is that the policy require the annual inspection of schools to remove hazards, vandalism and other barriers to safety and supervision. C.R.S. 22-32-109.1(5). That requirement is reflected in paragraphs one and nine of this policy. The remaining provisions of this policy are suggested best practices for the superintendent and board to consider when creating a general safe schools´ policy. Although state law "encourages" a school district to adopt a child sexual abuse and assault prevention plan as part of its safe school plan, paragraph 14 is highly recommended, given that the district may be liable for incidents of school violence. C.R.S. 22-32-109.1(2.5), C.R.S. 24-10-106.3. State law defines "incidents of school violence" to include a "felony sexual assault" that occurs at a school or school-sponsored activity. C.R.S. 24-10-106.3(2)(b)(III), (c).

NOTE 4: State law "encourages" school districts to provide a comprehensive, age-appropriate curriculum that teaches safety in working and interacting on the Internet as part of the board's safe school plan. C.R.S. 22-32-109.1(2)(c). Districts are encouraged to incorporate the Internet safety topics into the teaching of the regular classroom curricula, rather than isolating the topics as a separate class. If the district develops a comprehensive curriculum or other approach to teach safety in use of the Internet, then appropriate language could be added to this policy.

Note 5: As of 2022, state law requires the Department of Education to standardize the reporting method that school districts use to collect and report data concerning suspensions and expulsions, arrests and referrals, chronic absenteeism, incidents of violence, and harassment and bullying, and the safe school reporting requirements set forth in Section 22-32-109.1. The Department is required to standardize the reporting method on or before August 31, 2023. School districts are required to follow the standardized processes when provided by the Department of Education. C.R.S. 22-1-138.