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Highline Public Schools
15675 Ambaum Blvd. SW Burien, WA 98166

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Monday-Friday: 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Highline Public Schools
15675 Ambaum Blvd. SW Burien, WA 98166

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Policy 4314 - NOTIFICATION OF THREATS OF VIOLENCE OR HARM

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. If there is a specific and significant threat to the health or safety of a student or other individuals, the district may disclose information from education records to appropriate parties whose knowledge of the information is necessary. Timing and details of the notice shall not exceed that permitted by the federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act, other legal limitations, and the circumstances.

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, 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, employees, 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 of harm, those threatened and those making the threats. Necessary information about the person making the threat shall be communicated by the principal to teachers and staff, including security personnel.

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 discipline policies and may be referred for prosecution.

The superintendent is directed to develop and implement procedures consistent with the policy.

Cross Reference:
Special Education and Related Services for Eligible Students - Policy 2161
Education of Students with Disabilities under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 - Policy 2162
Prohibition of Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying - Policy 3207
Student Conduct - Policy 3240
Classroom Management, Corrective Actions or Punishment - Policy 3241
Disciplinary Action or Discharge - Policy 5281

Legal Reference:
Notice and disclosure policies-Threats of violence- student conduct-Immunity for good faith notice- Penalty - RCW 28A.320.128
Pupils - WAC 392-400
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act - . 20 U.S.C. § 1232g
FERPA Regulations -  34 C.F.R. Part 99

Management Resources:
Family Education Rights and Privacy Act Revisions - Policy News, February 2010
Threats Policy Due in September - Policy News, February 2003

Highline School District 401
Adopted by the Board: January 2004
Revised by the Board: 07.12
Classification: Essential