Source: https://www.scsb.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=1656136&type=d&pREC_ID=1803064
Timestamp: 2020-05-30 20:08:15
Document Index: 397296976

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 22', '§ 2', '§ 19', '§ 22', '§ 22', '§ 8', '§ 15']

Section E: Support Services – School Board Policies – Smyth County Public Schools
School Board Policies » Section E: Support Services
EBCD: School Closings
EZC: Emergency Closing
EZD: The Use of Facilities and General Liability Coverage
Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, §§ 22.1-78, 22.1-79, 22.1–253.13:2.
Each school develops a written school crisis, emergency management and medical emergency response plan as defined below. The School Board The School Board includes the chief law enforcement officer, the fire chief, the chief of the emergency medical services agency, the executive director of the regional emergency medical services council, and the emergency management official of the locality, or their designees, in the development of such plans. The School Board and the chief law enforcement officer, the fire chief, the chief of the emergency medical services agency, the executive director of the regional emergency medical services council, and the emergency management official of the locality, or their designees, annually review each school's plan. The Department of Education and the Virginia Center for School and Campus Safety will provide technical assistance to the school division in the development of the plans. In developing these plans, schools may consult the model school crisis, emergency management, and medical emergency response plan developed by the Board of Education and the Virginia Center for School and Campus Safety.
Each school annually conducts school safety audits as defined below. The results of such school safety audits are made public within 90 days of completion. The school board may withhold or limit the release of any security plans, walk-through checklists and specific vulnerability assessment components as provided in the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, Va. Code § 2.2-3705.2. The completed walk-through checklist will be made available upon request to the chief law-enforcement officer of the locality or that officer's designee. Each school maintains a copy of the school's safety audit, which may exclude such security plans, walk-through checklist, and vulnerability assessment components, within the office of the school principal and makes a copy of such report available for review upon written request.
The superintendent establishes a school safety audit committee to include, if available, representatives of parents, teachers, local law-enforcement, emergency services agencies, local community services boards, and judicial and public safety personnel. The school safety audit committee reviews the completed school safety audits and submits any plans, as needed, for improving school safety to the superintendent for submission to the School Board.
"School crisis, emergency management, and medical emergency response plan" means the essential procedures, operations, and assignments required to prevent, manage, and respond to a critical event or emergency, including natural disasters involving fire, flood, tornadoes, or other severe weather; loss or disruption of power, water, communications or shelter; bus or other accidents; medical emergencies, including cardiac arrest and other life threatening medical emergencies; student or staff member deaths; explosions; bomb threats; gun, knife or other weapons threats; spills or exposures to hazardous substances; the presence of unauthorized persons or trespassers; the loss, disappearance or kidnapping of a student; hostage situations; violence on school property or at school activities; incidents involving acts of terrorism; and other incidents posing a serious threat of harm to students, personnel, or facilities. The plan includes a provision that the Department of Criminal Justice Services and the Virginia Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund shall be contacted immediately to deploy assistance in the event of an emergency as defined in the emergency response plan when there are victims as defined in § Va. Code § 19.2-11.01, as well as current contact information for both.
Written procedures to follow in emergencies such as fire, injury, illness, allergic reactions and violent or threatening behavior. The procedures include Policy JHCD Administering Medicine to Students. The plan is outlined in the student handbook and discussed with staff and students during the first week of each school year;
A written procedure, in accordance with guidelines established by the School Board, for responding to violent, disruptive or illegal activities by students on school property or during a school-sponsored activity; and
provides guidance to students, faculty and staff regarding recognition of threatening or aberrant behavior that may represent a threat to the community, school or self;
identifies members of the school community to whom threatening behavior should be reported; and
implements policies adopted by the School Board.
Upon a preliminary determination that a student poses a threat of violence or physical harm to self or others, a threat assessment team immediately reports its determination to the superintendent or superintendent's designee. The superintendent or superintendent's designee immediately attempts to notify the student's parent or legal guardian. Nothing in this policy precludes school division personnel from acting immediately to address an imminent threat.
Each school holds a fire drill at least twice during the first twenty (20) school days of each session. Each school holds at least two (2) additional fire drills during the remainder of the school session. Evacuation routes for students are posted in each room. No fire drills are conducted during periods of mandatory testing required by the Virginia Board of Education.
Code of Virginia, § 22.1-137, 22.1-137.1, 22.1-137.2, 22.1-137.3, 22.1-184.
The superintendent or his/her superintendent’s designee may order the closing, the delay in opening or the early dismissal of any or all schools in order to protect the safety and welfare of the students and staff.
Unless employees are notified that their work schedule is changed because of adverse weather or emergency conditions, it is expected that all employees will work according to the terms of their contract and division policy. The conditions associated with the closing, delay or early dismissal decision may determine changes to work schedules. The superintendent or designee will notify employees if there is a change to work schedules. The guidelines may be reviewed by the School Board.
The superintendent has the general responsibility for the care, custody, and safekeeping of all school property. The principal of each school is responsible for the operation, supervision, care, and maintenance of the school plant.
Each school maintains records of regular safety, health and fire inspections that have been conducted and certified by local health and fire departments. The frequency of such inspections is determined by the School Board in consultation with the local health and fire departments. In addition, the school administration equips all exit doors with panic hardware as required by the Uniform Statewide Building Code.
The school division maintains documentation of any pesticide application that includes the target pest, the formulation applied, and the specific location of the application.
Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, §§ 22.1-70, 22.1-78, 22.1-79 (3), 22.1-132.2, 22.1-137, 22.1-293 (D).
8 VAC 20-131-260
The Superintendent is responsible for implementing a system of inventory of school property to identify items for the purpose of insurance and to control the loss of property.
All loss of or damage to school property shall be promptly reported to the Superintendent or Superintendent's designee.
In addition, a student who damages or destroys public property is subject to whatever disciplinary action is deemed necessary and advisable by the school principal.
Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, §§ 8.01-43, 22.1-78, 22.1-253.13:7.
School bus routes, school sites, and safety of students at designated school bus stops are reviewed at least once each year and as changes occur. Routes are reviewed for safety hazards, fuel conservation, and to assure the most efficient use of buses. School administrators evaluate the safety of pupils at bus stops periodically and, at the request of the School Board, report the results annually to the School Board.
Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, §§ 15.2-2703, 15.2-2704, 15.2-2705, 22.1-84, 22.1 188 through 22.1-198.
Extreme inclement weather or hazardous driving conditions and/or other emergencies may deem it necessary for the superintendent to cancel the operation of schools for one or more days. The superintendent will consult with the local highway department, police, principals, and other appropriate authorities before making the decision to close schools. When such a decision is made, local radio stations and area television stations will be notified and requested to make periodic announcements. Each school principal is responsible for implementing a plan to notify appropriate school personnel. Schools will operate according to the official calendar unless an announcement is made to close schools. The Smyth County School Board will determine those changes in the official school calendar necessitated by school closings.
School facilities in Smyth County exist for the purpose of educational opportunities for public school children and no other use of the schools shall be permitted which interferes with this purpose. However, the school board does encourage the citizens of Smyth County to make appropriate use of the school facilities providing such use does not conflict with the education program. The board also encourages the use of school facilities by local organizations involved in civic, educational, and other similar endeavors. School facilities shall not be used for religious services or for meetings on controversial issues if such services or meetings are determined to be detrimental to school and community relations.
Applications for use of school facilities shall be made to the respective principal as far in advance as possible. The application must state the name of the group or organization requesting such facilities, the purpose to be served by such use, the nature of the meeting or function, and the date and time of such meeting or function. If the principal approves the application and satisfactory arrangements can be made, he/she shall notify the superintendent of schools accordingly. If there are any doubts as to whether the application shall be approved, the principal shall discuss the matter with the superintendent of schools prior to a decision being made on the approval or rejection of such application.
Charges and/or fees for use of school facilities shall not be designed to limit or prohibit use, but to prevent the inappropriate expenditure of public funds. Charges and/or fees shall be based upon the actual cost incurred by the school system in permitting the use of school facilities.
Organized groups such as clubs or recreation departments using school facilities on a regular basis should provide general liability coverage for limits no less than those carried by the Smyth County School Board. All such organizations should submit a current certificate of insurance be maintained on file.
Organized groups holding special events on school property shall be required to submit a certificate of insurance indicating general liability coverage for limits no less than those carried by the Smyth County School Board. Such certificate must be filed with the appropriate school principal at least two weeks prior to the date of the scheduled activity.