The following guidelines are for the use by Principals in the event of disturbances, disorder, or demonstration on or near the school site and apply to both students and adults.
The final decision for determining the nature of assistance needed at a disturbance, disorder, or demonstration is the responsibility of the school Principal or the Director of Director of Security. In the absence of the Principal, the determination is to be made by the assistant Principal or the person designated to be in charge of the building or activity.
The school administration and staff are responsible for handling any issues. The Superintendent shall be notified immediately of any serious problem at the school. The Principal shall seek the advice of the Superintendent, as well as inform him/her of any decisions and progress toward resolving the problem.
In the event disturbances are caused by adults or non-students, the appropriate law enforcement officials or District security personnel may be called for assistance. The chief administrative police officer or his/her designee should be alerted ahead of time when problems are suspected. Such official shall direct the activities of the police at the scene of any disturbance. The Director of Public Safety or designee shall serve as liaison when police are on the scene.
In the event of a disturbance or disorder, the Principal and/or Director of Public Safety shall make an immediate assessment of the situation to determine the danger or potential danger to students, personnel, patrons, or school property. If there is apparent danger to any of the above, steps shall be taken immediately to reduce or eliminate the danger by whatever means necessary as granted under the administrator’s authority to discipline or maintain crowd control.
The Principal and/or the Director of Public Safety shall decide upon a course of action and, to the extent possible, inform the school staff so that all can cooperate in carrying out that decision.
The administrator on the scene and in charge shall maintain a record in which are listed the date, time and nature of each incident, the names of persons involved and a description of action taken.
Whenever the situation requires the assistance of the police, the Principal and/or the Director of Public Safety or his/her designee shall request such assistance. Police action will be determined by police officials and their assessment of the situation.
The Board wishes to emphasize that any persons who create disturbances or disorders at any school activity shall be prosecuted fully under the law. The Principal and/or the Director of Public Safety on the scene and in charge shall sign the necessary complaint papers or encourage available witnesses of the act to do so. In any event, a complaint will be signed. The Board’s attorney shall take whatever action is necessary to expedite proceedings to prosecute anyone causing a disturbance at a school function.