skip to main content

HCPSS / POLICIES

Policy 1040 Implementation Procedures - Safe and Supportive Schools

Policy Document

Implementation Procedures

I. Announcement/Dissemination of Information

  1. Written notice of behaviors that interfere with a safe and supportive school climate, including but not limited to those identified in the Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) Student Code of Conduct and other related Board policies, will be communicated to all HCPSS students, employees, parents, and third parties at the beginning of each school year and, upon registration, to new students and their parents.

  2. At least annually, the principal or appropriate supervisor will notify HCPSS students, employees, parents, and third parties of the general provisions of this policy. Notification may be:

    1. Given via announcement over the school public address system as deemed appropriate by the principal.

    2. Published in newsletters, on the school/system websites, and/or in student/employee handbooks.

    3. Posted on bulletin boards in offices and other commonly used areas.

II. Violations of Policy

  1. Student Violations

    Any individual who believes that a student has violated this policy will immediately report the suspected violation to the school-based administrator or supervisor and comply with any additional reporting requirements that may involve criminal or other legal action.

    1. A student who is suspected of violating this policy on school property, or at school-related activities, or in such a manner that creates a hostile educational environment by substantially interfering with a student’s or employee’s educational benefits, opportunities, performance, or physical or psychological well-being, will be referred to a school-based administrator.

    2. The school-based administrator will promptly conduct an investigation of the alleged violation and take appropriate action to address the behavior as quickly as possible in accordance with the HCPSS Student Code of Conduct.

    3. If the investigation reveals that a threat has occurred, the school-based administrator will initiate the behavioral threat management process and take appropriate action, as necessary and as required by law, including notification of law enforcement, the Office of Safety and Security, and notification of the students’ parents.

    4. A student who violates this policy may be provided with interventions designed to increase the student’s understanding of the impact of their actions.

    5. A student who violates this policy may also be subject to criminal or other legal action.

    6. Any student who has been affected by conduct prohibited in this policy will be offered appropriate assistance by the school-based administrator or the Superintendent/designee.

  2. HCPSS Employee and Third Party Violations

    Any individual who believes that a HCPSS employee or third party has violated this policy will first consider whether the behavior constitutes a violation of Policy 1010 Anti-Discrimination, Policy 1020 Sexual Discrimination, Sexual Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct, or Policy 1030 Child Abuse and Neglect. Violations of those policies must be reported, investigated, and followed through in accordance with those policies and other applicable disciplinary procedures.

    When the provisions of these policies do not take precedence, the following procedures will be followed:

    1. A HCPSS employee or third party suspected of violating this policy will be referred to an appropriate supervisor or the Superintendent/designee.

    2. The supervisor or Superintendent/designee will promptly conduct an investigation and address the behavior as quickly as possible.

    3. If the investigation reveals that a threat has occurred, the supervisor or Superintendent/designee will, as required by law, notify law enforcement and the Office of Safety and Security, and will take appropriate action. Disciplinary action against a HCPSS employee will be taken in accordance with Policy 7030 Employee Conduct and Discipline. Action against a third party will be taken in accordance with relevant school system policies and other applicable local, state, and federal laws.

III. Safe and Supportive Schools Maintenance

To address the continuous maintenance of safe and supportive school climates, the Division of Schools and the Office of Safety and Security will coordinate for a multi-faceted approach in the areas of threat management, security, and equity.

  1. Safe and Inclusive Climate

    The Division of Schools and the Division of Equity and Innovation will support schools in maintaining safe and supportive school climates by assisting in:

    1. Shaping restorative cultures by promoting proactive strategies that build strong relationships.

    2. Creating a safe and welcoming environment where all HCPSS students and employees feel a strong sense of belonging and inclusivity.

    3. Infusing stakeholder voice (student, family, and staff) throughout the educational experience.

    4. Providing opportunities for professional learning that help staff feel valued and effective in maintaining safe and supportive school climates. These learnings could include but are not limited to just and equitable practices and pedagogy, responding to hate/bias, trauma informed practices and social emotional learning.

    5. Collaborating with families and community members to form active and/or maintain valued partnerships that nurture trust.

  2. Physical Security

    The Office of Safety and Security is responsible for all aspects of physical security and general safety for HCPSS students and employees. To ensure that we contribute to safe and supportive schools, HCPSS will:

    1. Perform annual safety evaluations of schools and tracking improvement projects in compliance with the Maryland Safe to Learn Act 2018.

    2. Conduct school emergency drills on an annual basis based on the schedule below:

      1. Five (5) evacuation drills

      2. Two (2) secure drills

      3. One (1) lockdown drill

      4. One (1) shelter drill

      5. One (1) hold drill

    3. Provide initial and annual refresher training for HCPSS employees for our Emergency Operations Plans (EOP).

      1. System-Level EOP – Position specific training for those with roles during emergency response.

      2. School-Specific EOP – Annual plan updates for new HCPSS employees and positions specific training for those with roles during an emergency at the school.

      3. Support Facility EOP – Annual plan updates for new HCPSS employees and positions specific training for those with roles during an emergency at the facility.

    4. Collaborate with law enforcement to maintain School Resource Officers (SROs) and Howard County Police Department, as needed. The Office of Safety and Security will monitor coverage on a quarterly basis and will adjust as required by changes in law.

  3. Threat Management Process

    The Division of Schools will implement the HCPSS Procedures for the Threat Management Process, including how to:

    1. Provide guidance to HCPSS students and employees through professional learning, case consultation, and written procedures, etc. regarding recognition of behavior that may represent a threat.

    2. Implement Behavioral Threat Assessment team(s) who will assess, identify and manage the risks of threats of targeted violence posed by an individual or group.

    3. Identify members of the school community to whom threatening behavior should be reported.

    4. Assess and intervene with individuals whose behavior poses (or may pose) a threat to the safety of HCPSS employees or students, and where appropriate, make referrals to community providers for further evaluation and/or treatment.

  4. Accountability

    The Division of Schools and the Division of Equity and Innovation will coordinate an annual review of the implementation of Policy 1040 and report its findings to the Board to evaluate the effectiveness of its policy, including but not limited to the following areas:

    1. The effects of the security drills on HCPSS students and employees mental health.

    2. Any after action evaluations for incidents where Emergency Operations Plans were used.

    3. Safe and inclusive climate, physical security and HCPSS Procedures for the Threat Management Process as outlined in the preceding sections.

IV. Monitoring

Policy 1040 implementation procedures will be overseen by the Division of Schools.

V. History

ADOPTED: October 22, 1992

REVIEWED: December 13, 2024

MODIFIED: October 17, 2019

REVISED:

  • January 30, 2001

  • April 12, 2007

  • June 12, 2014

  • June 25, 2026

Effective: July 1, 2026

Policy History Key

  • Adopted-Original date the Board took action to approve a policy
  • Reviewed-The date the status of a policy was assessed by the Superintendent’s Standing Policy Group
  • Modified-The date the Board took action to alter a policy that based on the recommendation of the Superintendent/designee did not require a comprehensive examination
  • Revised-The date the Board took action on a that policy based on the recommendation of the Superintendent/designee needed a comprehensive examination
  • Effective-The date a policy is implemented throughout the HCPSS, typically July 1 following Board action.