MSAD #4

Demonstration or Disturbance:

These procedures are for dealing with anyone causing or participating in a demonstration or disturbance at the building: individual students, student groups, or outside individuals or groups not associated with the building.

Procedures:

1. Notify the building administrator of the disturbance.

2. During the disturbance, the building administrator will take corrective action, such as:

a. Ask the demonstrators to disperse.
b. Notify the superintendent.
c. Notify the local law enforcement agency, if necessary.
d. Contain the disturbance by sealing off the area, to the extent possible.
e. Secure the building, if necessary.
f. Shut off bells, if appropriate.
g. Relocate people involved in the disturbance to an isolated area, to the greatest extent possible.

3. During the disturbance, teachers should:

a. Keep students in classrooms and lock the door. Do not allow students out of the classroom until the building administrator gives an all-clear signal.
b. Make a list of students absent from the class.

Intruder/hostage:

Individuals who pose a possible threat could include a sniper on campus, someone who may attempt to abduct or injure a student, or any unauthorized visitor without a legitimate purpose. It may be a law enforcement agency who notifies the school or school district of the dangerous situation, or it may be school personnel who first recognize the danger.

Procedures for the staff member who sees an unauthorized intruder:

1. If possible, have another staff person accompany you when approaching an intruder that does not indicate a potential for violence.
2. Politely greet the intruder and identify yourself.
3. Ask the intruder to identify him or herself and to state what is the purpose of his or her visit.
4. Inform the intruder that all visitors must register at the main office.
5. If the intruder’s purpose is not legitimate, ask him/her to leave and accompany intruder to exit if possible, or arrange for someone else to accompany the intruder.
6. If the intruder refuses to leave or is a repeat offender, warn him or her of the consequences of staying on school property. Inform him or her that the police will be contacted.
7. If the intruder still refuses to comply, notify building administrator or police liaison and give as complete a description of the person as possible.
8. Walk away from the intruder if the intruder indicates a potential for violence. Do not attempt to disarm anyone with a weapon or physically restrain anyone who may be capable of inflicting bodily harm. Monitor the intruder leaving campus, if possible.
9. Implement lock-down procedures to secure the school building, to keep students inside and keep the danger outside of the building away from students and staff. A code phrase – CODE BLACK will be used to alert staff when the school building will be secured and lock-down procedures initiated.
10. Call 911 and provide law enforcement agents with as much identifying information as possible (physical description, location in the school building, where the person is going, if the intruder is armed).

Witness to a hostage situation:

1. If the hostage taker is unaware of your presence, do not intervene.
2. Call 911 immediately, if possible. Give the dispatcher details of the situation and ask for assistance from the hostage negotiation team.
3. Seal off the area near hostage situation, to the extent possible.
4. Notify the building administrator who may elect to evacuate the rest of the building.
5. The police or hostage negotiation team will assume command and control of the situation when they arrive.

If taken hostage:

1. Follow instructions of the hostage taker.
2. Try not to panic. Calm students if they are present.
3. Treat the hostage taker as normally as possible. Be respectful. Ask permission to speak. Do not argue or make suggestions.

Administrative procedures after the emergency:

1. Designate a spokesperson to handle media calls, questions, and contacts.
2. Prepare a news/information release, as appropriate.
3. Prepare a parent and guardian letter, as appropriate.
4. Hold an information meeting with all staff.
5. Initiate the grief-counseling plan, if appropriate