FILE:  EBBC

Cf:  EBB

EMERGENCY/CRISIS MANAGEMENT

CRISIS MANAGEMENT AND RESPONSE

Unanticipated tragic events can quickly escalate into a school-wide catastrophe if not dealt with immediately and effectively.  School personnel shall plan in advance for the welfare, safety, and care of students and staff members.  Every school shall be required to have a Crisis Management and Response Plan.  A Crisis Management and Response Plan means a plan to address school safety and the incidence of a shooting or other violence at schools, on school buses, and at school-related activities; to respond effectively to such incidents; and to ensure that every student, teacher, and school employee has access to a safe, secure, and orderly school that is conducive to learning.  Such plans shall also address the management of any other emergency situation.

The Crisis Management and Response Plan shall be prepared by each public school principal jointly with local law enforcement, fire, public safety, and emergency preparedness officials.  In preparing the plan, the principal and such officials shall consider and include, if appropriate, input from students enrolled in the school and their parents, teachers at the school, other school employees, and community leaders.  The plan, which shall focus on preventing the loss of life and the injury of students and teachers and other school employees, shall detail the roles and responsibilities of each school employee and the relevant coordination agreements, services, and security measures of a school and provide for parental notification in the event of a shooting or other violent incident or emergency situation.  The plan may also provide for the counseling of students by mental health professionals, encouraging peer helper programs, and identifying students who may have experienced rejection or other traumatic life events.

Each principal, jointly with local law enforcement, fire, public safety, school resource officers, and emergency preparedness officials, shall review the plan at least once annually and shall revise the plan as necessary.  In reviewing and revising the plan, the principal and such officials shall consider and include input, if appropriate, from students enrolled in the school and their parents, teachers at the school, other school employees, and community leaders.  Each principal shall submit such plan in writing to the Superintendent and or designee for approval at least once annually, including upon each revision.  Each plan shall include addressing the needs and assistance of special needs students.

Within the first thirty (30) days of each school year, each principal shall conduct two (2) Active Shooter/Crisis Drills and one (1) quarterly thereafter during school year to rehearse the components of the Crisis Management and Response Plan.  Not later than seven (7) days after each drill, the principal shall submit a written report summarizing the details of the drill to the Superintendent and or designee.  Drills shall be conducted at various time periods (i.e., 7am – 9am, 11am – 1:00pm and 2:00pm – 4:00pm) and written reports submitted accordingly.

Each principal shall notify all teachers and other school employees, including substitutes regarding the Crisis Plan and any revisions made to the plan.  Each principal shall mandatorily review and document safety and security information during monthly faculty/staff meetings.

The Superintendent shall make an annual report to the School Board on the status of the plan of each school under the School Board’s jurisdiction.

OTHER EMERGENCY DRILLS

The Rapides Parish School Board shall require procedures be planned by the principal and faculty of each school to assure orderly movement and evacuation of students to the safest area in the event of fire, weather, or other disasters.  Practice drills shall be used to ensure the effectiveness of the procedures.

Principals shall communicate such activities with stakeholders (parents, students, law enforcement, central office and fire department) to inform activities of drill nature only.  Such activities shall be conducted in accordance with regulations and procedures developed by the Superintendent and staff and included in the Rapides Parish Emergency Operations Plan (EOP).

Principals shall practice fire drills monthly with two (2) conducted within the first two (2) weeks of school.  Drills will be conducted in all buildings.

Principals shall conduct Active Shooter/Crisis Drills quarterly, two (2) within first 30 days of school and written reports submitted accordingly.  Drills will be conducted in all buildings.

Each school shall hold one (1) bus emergency evacuation drill during the first six (6) weeks of each school semester.

Ref:    La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:416.16, 40:1578.6

Louisiana School Transportation Specifications and Procedures, Bulletin 119

Louisiana Handbook for School Administrators, Bulletin 741, Louisiana Department of Education

Life Safety Code, National Fire Protection Association

Board minutes, 4-6-02, 11-5-13, 3-6-18, 9-4-18, 10-2-18

Rapides Parish School Board