SIDNEY ISD 
SAFETY AND SECURITY
Sidney ISD Safety and Security Committee Meeting Notice
SIDNEY ISD
FFB(LOCAL)-A
Threat Assessment Procedures
THREAT ASSESSMENT
Since the passing of Texas Senate Bill 11 (TEC; 37.115) in 2019, Texas joined one of the few states where it is now required by law for schools to have a Safe and Supportive School Program (SSSP) team that oversees a variety of student needs such as Multi-Tiered Systems of Support, Behavioral Threat Assessments, School Climate, and Emergency Planning and Implementation. As a part of the Safe and Supportive Schools Program (SSP), Rule ISD has a Behavioral Threat Assessment Team that is tasked with conducting behavioral threat assessments and determining the best course of action to support an individual who made a threat and the victims of the threat. Harmful, threatening, or violent behavior includes behaviors, such as verbal threats, threats of self-harm, bullying, cyberbullying, fighting, the use or possession of a weapon, sexual assault, sexual harassment, dating violence, stalking, or assault.
CONDUCTING THREAT ASSESSMENTS
In accordance with Texas Education Code (TEC), §37.115(f)(1), the SSSP team must conduct threat assessments, determine the level of risk, and provide interventions to support the individual for whom the threat assessment was conducted and the victim of the threat.
- Threat assessments are intended to prevent targeted violence. It involves assessment and intervention.
- The threat assessment process is centered upon the analysis of the facts and evidence of behavior or communication in a given situation that might suggest an individual intends to mount an attack and/or is engaged in planning or preparing for that event.
IDENTIFY AND REPORT A THREAT
In order to maintain a safe and orderly school environment, all school personnel and students have the responsibility to report student threats of violence to school administration. Our program’s framework promotes active involvement from our staff, students, parents and the community because safety and security impacts everyone. We encourage active involvement by asking all stakeholders to report any threats or concerns they see and hear through our Rule ISD Tip Line.
All reported incidences are investigated for potentially harmful or lethal behavior. Investigations will determine the level of concern, assess required action and organize any necessary resources and student support strategies.
INQUIRE AND INVESTIGATE
The SSSP team is responsible for collecting and analyzing harmful, threatening, and violent behavior; assessing threat and risk levels; and determining appropriate interventions. The Texas Education Code lists the following as "harmful, threatening, or violent" behaviors:
- Verbal threats
- Threats of self-harm
- Bullying
- Cyberbullying
- Fighting
- Use of or possession of a weapon
- Sexual assault
- Sexual harassment
- Dating violence
- Stalking
- Assault
When an individual or situation is brought to their attention, the SSSP team reviews the reported or observed behavior, investigates to determine whether it poses a threat based on facts, and decides what resources the individual might benefit from. Resources are identified for the person of concern and any targets or victims.
Per federal law the district cannot disclose personally identifiable information (PII) in their notice to parents. While we completely understand the parent’s perspective in wanting to know exactly what the threat entailed, as a district we are prohibited from disclosing personally identifiable information under FERPA. We assure you we will provide as much information as possible while maintaining legal compliance.
In addition to our Emergency Operations Plan, the district utilizes the Standard Response Protocol (see below) to simplify the district’s emergency response procedures. We believe this protocol helps to foster a safe learning and working environment for all students and staff.
Sidney ISD School Emergency Guide Download Standard Response Protocol Posters- English and Spanish
Keep 'Em Safe Texas
