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Article 5. School Safety Plans of California Education Code >> Division 1. >> Title 1. >> Part 19. >> Chapter 2.5. >> Article 5.
It is the intent of the Legislature that all California
public schools, in kindergarten, and grades 1 to 12, inclusive,
operated by school districts, in cooperation with local law
enforcement agencies, community leaders, parents, pupils, teachers,
administrators, and other persons who may be interested in the
prevention of campus crime and violence, develop a comprehensive
school safety plan that addresses the safety concerns identified
through a systematic planning process. For the purposes of this
section, law enforcement agencies include local police departments,
county sheriffs' offices, school district police or security
departments, probation departments, and district attorneys' offices.
For purposes of this section, a "safety plan" means a plan to develop
strategies aimed at the prevention of, and education about,
potential incidents involving crime and violence on the school
campus.
(a) Each school district and county office of education is
responsible for the overall development of all comprehensive school
safety plans for its schools operating kindergarten or any of grades
1 to 12, inclusive.
(b) (1) Except as provided in subdivision (d) with regard to a small school district, the schoolsite council established pursuant to former Section 52012, as it existed before July 1, 2005, or Section 52852 shall write and develop a comprehensive school safety plan relevant to the needs and resources of that particular school.
(2) The schoolsite council may delegate this responsibility to a school safety planning committee made up of the following members:
(A) The principal or the principal's designee.
(B) One teacher who is a representative of the recognized certificated employee organization.
(C) One parent whose child attends the school.
(D) One classified employee who is a representative of the recognized classified employee organization.
(E) Other members, if desired.
(3) The schoolsite council shall consult with a representative from a law enforcement agency in the writing and development of the comprehensive school safety plan.
(4) In the absence of a schoolsite council, the members specified in paragraph (2) shall serve as the school safety planning committee.
(c) Nothing in this article shall limit or take away the authority of school boards as guaranteed under this code.
(d) (1) Subdivision (b) shall not apply to a small school district, as defined in paragraph (2), if the small school district develops a districtwide comprehensive school safety plan that is applicable to each schoolsite.
(2) As used in this article, "small school district" means a school district that has fewer than 2,501 units of average daily attendance at the beginning of each fiscal year.
(e) (1) When a principal or his or her designee verifies through local law enforcement officials that a report has been filed of the occurrence of a violent crime on the schoolsite of an elementary or secondary school at which he or she is the principal, the principal or the principal's designee may send to each pupil's parent or legal guardian and each school employee a written notice of the occurrence and general nature of the crime. If the principal or his or her designee chooses to send the written notice, the Legislature encourages the notice be sent no later than the end of business on the second regular work day after the verification. If, at the time of verification, local law enforcement officials determine that notification of the violent crime would hinder an ongoing investigation, the notification authorized by this subdivision shall be made within a reasonable period of time, to be determined by the local law enforcement agency and the school district. For purposes of this section, an act that is considered a "violent crime" shall meet the definition of Section 67381 and be an act for which a pupil could or would be expelled pursuant to Section 48915.
(2) Nothing in this subdivision shall create any liability in a school district or its employees for complying with paragraph (1).
(f) (1) Notwithstanding subdivision (b), a school district or county office of education may, in consultation with law enforcement officials, elect to not have its schoolsite council develop and write those portions of its comprehensive school safety plan that include tactical responses to criminal incidents that may result in death or serious bodily injury at the schoolsite. The portions of a school safety plan that include tactical responses to criminal incidents may be developed by administrators of the school district or county office of education in consultation with law enforcement officials and with a representative of an exclusive bargaining unit of employees of that school district or county office of education, if he or she chooses to participate. The school district or county office of education may elect not to disclose those portions of the comprehensive school safety plan that include tactical responses to criminal incidents.
(2) As used in this article, "tactical responses to criminal incidents" means steps taken to safeguard pupils and staff, to secure the affected school premises, and to apprehend the criminal perpetrator or perpetrators.
(3) Nothing in this subdivision precludes the governing board of a school district or county office of education from conferring in a closed session with law enforcement officials pursuant to Section 54957 of the Government Code to approve a tactical response plan developed in consultation with those officials pursuant to this subdivision. Any vote to approve the tactical response plan shall be announced in open session following the closed session.
(4) Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed to reduce or eliminate the requirements of Section 32282.
(b) (1) Except as provided in subdivision (d) with regard to a small school district, the schoolsite council established pursuant to former Section 52012, as it existed before July 1, 2005, or Section 52852 shall write and develop a comprehensive school safety plan relevant to the needs and resources of that particular school.
(2) The schoolsite council may delegate this responsibility to a school safety planning committee made up of the following members:
(A) The principal or the principal's designee.
(B) One teacher who is a representative of the recognized certificated employee organization.
(C) One parent whose child attends the school.
(D) One classified employee who is a representative of the recognized classified employee organization.
(E) Other members, if desired.
(3) The schoolsite council shall consult with a representative from a law enforcement agency in the writing and development of the comprehensive school safety plan.
(4) In the absence of a schoolsite council, the members specified in paragraph (2) shall serve as the school safety planning committee.
(c) Nothing in this article shall limit or take away the authority of school boards as guaranteed under this code.
(d) (1) Subdivision (b) shall not apply to a small school district, as defined in paragraph (2), if the small school district develops a districtwide comprehensive school safety plan that is applicable to each schoolsite.
(2) As used in this article, "small school district" means a school district that has fewer than 2,501 units of average daily attendance at the beginning of each fiscal year.
(e) (1) When a principal or his or her designee verifies through local law enforcement officials that a report has been filed of the occurrence of a violent crime on the schoolsite of an elementary or secondary school at which he or she is the principal, the principal or the principal's designee may send to each pupil's parent or legal guardian and each school employee a written notice of the occurrence and general nature of the crime. If the principal or his or her designee chooses to send the written notice, the Legislature encourages the notice be sent no later than the end of business on the second regular work day after the verification. If, at the time of verification, local law enforcement officials determine that notification of the violent crime would hinder an ongoing investigation, the notification authorized by this subdivision shall be made within a reasonable period of time, to be determined by the local law enforcement agency and the school district. For purposes of this section, an act that is considered a "violent crime" shall meet the definition of Section 67381 and be an act for which a pupil could or would be expelled pursuant to Section 48915.
(2) Nothing in this subdivision shall create any liability in a school district or its employees for complying with paragraph (1).
(f) (1) Notwithstanding subdivision (b), a school district or county office of education may, in consultation with law enforcement officials, elect to not have its schoolsite council develop and write those portions of its comprehensive school safety plan that include tactical responses to criminal incidents that may result in death or serious bodily injury at the schoolsite. The portions of a school safety plan that include tactical responses to criminal incidents may be developed by administrators of the school district or county office of education in consultation with law enforcement officials and with a representative of an exclusive bargaining unit of employees of that school district or county office of education, if he or she chooses to participate. The school district or county office of education may elect not to disclose those portions of the comprehensive school safety plan that include tactical responses to criminal incidents.
(2) As used in this article, "tactical responses to criminal incidents" means steps taken to safeguard pupils and staff, to secure the affected school premises, and to apprehend the criminal perpetrator or perpetrators.
(3) Nothing in this subdivision precludes the governing board of a school district or county office of education from conferring in a closed session with law enforcement officials pursuant to Section 54957 of the Government Code to approve a tactical response plan developed in consultation with those officials pursuant to this subdivision. Any vote to approve the tactical response plan shall be announced in open session following the closed session.
(4) Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed to reduce or eliminate the requirements of Section 32282.
(a) The comprehensive school safety plan shall include, but
not be limited to, both of the following:
(1) Assessing the current status of school crime committed on school campuses and at school-related functions.
(2) Identifying appropriate strategies and programs that will provide or maintain a high level of school safety and address the school's procedures for complying with existing laws related to school safety, which shall include the development of all of the following:
(A) Child abuse reporting procedures consistent with Article 2.5 (commencing with Section 11164) of Chapter 2 of Title 1 of Part 4 of the Penal Code.
(B) Disaster procedures, routine and emergency, including adaptations for pupils with disabilities in accordance with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. Sec. 12101 et seq.). The disaster procedures shall also include, but not be limited to, both of the following:
(i) Establishing an earthquake emergency procedure system in every public school building having an occupant capacity of 50 or more pupils or more than one classroom. A school district or county office of education may work with the Office of Emergency Services and the Alfred E. Alquist Seismic Safety Commission to develop and establish the earthquake emergency procedure system. The system shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following:
(I) A school building disaster plan, ready for implementation at any time, for maintaining the safety and care of pupils and staff.
(II) A drop procedure whereby each pupil and staff member takes cover under a table or desk, dropping to his or her knees, with the head protected by the arms, and the back to the windows. A drop procedure practice shall be held at least once each school quarter in elementary schools and at least once a semester in secondary schools.
(III) Protective measures to be taken before, during, and following an earthquake.
(IV) A program to ensure that pupils and both the certificated and classified staff are aware of, and properly trained in, the earthquake emergency procedure system.
(ii) Establishing a procedure to allow a public agency, including the American Red Cross, to use school buildings, grounds, and equipment for mass care and welfare shelters during disasters or other emergencies affecting the public health and welfare. The school district or county office of education shall cooperate with the public agency in furnishing and maintaining the services as the school district or county office of education may deem necessary to meet the needs of the community.
(C) Policies pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 48915 for pupils who committed an act listed in subdivision (c) of Section 48915 and other school-designated serious acts which would lead to suspension, expulsion, or mandatory expulsion recommendations pursuant to Article 1 (commencing with Section 48900) of Chapter 6 of Part 27 of Division 4 of Title 2.
(D) Procedures to notify teachers of dangerous pupils pursuant to Section 49079.
(E) A discrimination and harassment policy consistent with the prohibition against discrimination contained in Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 200) of Part 1.
(F) The provisions of any schoolwide dress code, pursuant to Section 35183, that prohibits pupils from wearing "gang-related apparel," if the school has adopted that type of a dress code. For those purposes, the comprehensive school safety plan shall define "gang-related apparel." The definition shall be limited to apparel that, if worn or displayed on a school campus, reasonably could be determined to threaten the health and safety of the school environment. A schoolwide dress code established pursuant to this section and Section 35183 shall be enforced on the school campus and at any school-sponsored activity by the principal of the school or the person designated by the principal. For purposes of this paragraph, "gang-related apparel" shall not be considered a protected form of speech pursuant to Section 48950.
(G) Procedures for safe ingress and egress of pupils, parents, and school employees to and from school.
(H) A safe and orderly environment conducive to learning at the school.
(I) The rules and procedures on school discipline adopted pursuant to Sections 35291 and 35291.5.
(b) It is the intent of the Legislature that schools develop comprehensive school safety plans using existing resources, including the materials and services of the partnership, pursuant to this chapter. It is also the intent of the Legislature that schools use the handbook developed and distributed by the School/Law Enforcement Partnership Program entitled "Safe Schools: A Planning Guide for Action" in conjunction with developing their plan for school safety.
(c) Each schoolsite council or school safety planning committee, in developing and updating a comprehensive school safety plan, shall, where practical, consult, cooperate, and coordinate with other schoolsite councils or school safety planning committees.
(d) The comprehensive school safety plan may be evaluated and amended, as needed, by the school safety planning committee, but shall be evaluated at least once a year, to ensure that the comprehensive school safety plan is properly implemented. An updated file of all safety-related plans and materials shall be readily available for inspection by the public.
(e) As comprehensive school safety plans are reviewed and updated, the Legislature encourages all plans, to the extent that resources are available, to include policies and procedures aimed at the prevention of bullying.
(f) The comprehensive school safety plan, as written and updated by the schoolsite council or school safety planning committee, shall be submitted for approval pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 32288.
(1) Assessing the current status of school crime committed on school campuses and at school-related functions.
(2) Identifying appropriate strategies and programs that will provide or maintain a high level of school safety and address the school's procedures for complying with existing laws related to school safety, which shall include the development of all of the following:
(A) Child abuse reporting procedures consistent with Article 2.5 (commencing with Section 11164) of Chapter 2 of Title 1 of Part 4 of the Penal Code.
(B) Disaster procedures, routine and emergency, including adaptations for pupils with disabilities in accordance with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. Sec. 12101 et seq.). The disaster procedures shall also include, but not be limited to, both of the following:
(i) Establishing an earthquake emergency procedure system in every public school building having an occupant capacity of 50 or more pupils or more than one classroom. A school district or county office of education may work with the Office of Emergency Services and the Alfred E. Alquist Seismic Safety Commission to develop and establish the earthquake emergency procedure system. The system shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following:
(I) A school building disaster plan, ready for implementation at any time, for maintaining the safety and care of pupils and staff.
(II) A drop procedure whereby each pupil and staff member takes cover under a table or desk, dropping to his or her knees, with the head protected by the arms, and the back to the windows. A drop procedure practice shall be held at least once each school quarter in elementary schools and at least once a semester in secondary schools.
(III) Protective measures to be taken before, during, and following an earthquake.
(IV) A program to ensure that pupils and both the certificated and classified staff are aware of, and properly trained in, the earthquake emergency procedure system.
(ii) Establishing a procedure to allow a public agency, including the American Red Cross, to use school buildings, grounds, and equipment for mass care and welfare shelters during disasters or other emergencies affecting the public health and welfare. The school district or county office of education shall cooperate with the public agency in furnishing and maintaining the services as the school district or county office of education may deem necessary to meet the needs of the community.
(C) Policies pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 48915 for pupils who committed an act listed in subdivision (c) of Section 48915 and other school-designated serious acts which would lead to suspension, expulsion, or mandatory expulsion recommendations pursuant to Article 1 (commencing with Section 48900) of Chapter 6 of Part 27 of Division 4 of Title 2.
(D) Procedures to notify teachers of dangerous pupils pursuant to Section 49079.
(E) A discrimination and harassment policy consistent with the prohibition against discrimination contained in Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 200) of Part 1.
(F) The provisions of any schoolwide dress code, pursuant to Section 35183, that prohibits pupils from wearing "gang-related apparel," if the school has adopted that type of a dress code. For those purposes, the comprehensive school safety plan shall define "gang-related apparel." The definition shall be limited to apparel that, if worn or displayed on a school campus, reasonably could be determined to threaten the health and safety of the school environment. A schoolwide dress code established pursuant to this section and Section 35183 shall be enforced on the school campus and at any school-sponsored activity by the principal of the school or the person designated by the principal. For purposes of this paragraph, "gang-related apparel" shall not be considered a protected form of speech pursuant to Section 48950.
(G) Procedures for safe ingress and egress of pupils, parents, and school employees to and from school.
(H) A safe and orderly environment conducive to learning at the school.
(I) The rules and procedures on school discipline adopted pursuant to Sections 35291 and 35291.5.
(b) It is the intent of the Legislature that schools develop comprehensive school safety plans using existing resources, including the materials and services of the partnership, pursuant to this chapter. It is also the intent of the Legislature that schools use the handbook developed and distributed by the School/Law Enforcement Partnership Program entitled "Safe Schools: A Planning Guide for Action" in conjunction with developing their plan for school safety.
(c) Each schoolsite council or school safety planning committee, in developing and updating a comprehensive school safety plan, shall, where practical, consult, cooperate, and coordinate with other schoolsite councils or school safety planning committees.
(d) The comprehensive school safety plan may be evaluated and amended, as needed, by the school safety planning committee, but shall be evaluated at least once a year, to ensure that the comprehensive school safety plan is properly implemented. An updated file of all safety-related plans and materials shall be readily available for inspection by the public.
(e) As comprehensive school safety plans are reviewed and updated, the Legislature encourages all plans, to the extent that resources are available, to include policies and procedures aimed at the prevention of bullying.
(f) The comprehensive school safety plan, as written and updated by the schoolsite council or school safety planning committee, shall be submitted for approval pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 32288.
(a) As comprehensive school safety plans are reviewed and
updated, the Legislature encourages all plans, to the extent that
resources are available, to include clear guidelines for the roles
and responsibilities of mental health professionals, community
intervention professionals, school counselors, school resource
officers, and police officers on school campuses, if the school
district uses these people.
(b) The guidelines developed pursuant to subdivision (a) are encouraged to include both of the following:
(1) Primary strategies to create and maintain a positive school climate, promote school safety, and increase pupil achievement, and prioritize mental health and intervention services, restorative and transformative justice programs, and positive behavior interventions and support.
(2) Consistent with paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 32282, protocols to address the mental health care of pupils who have witnessed a violent act at any time, including, but not limited to, any of the following:
(A) While on school grounds.
(B) While going to or coming from school.
(C) During a lunch period whether on or off campus.
(D) During, or while going to or coming from, a school-sponsored activity.
(b) The guidelines developed pursuant to subdivision (a) are encouraged to include both of the following:
(1) Primary strategies to create and maintain a positive school climate, promote school safety, and increase pupil achievement, and prioritize mental health and intervention services, restorative and transformative justice programs, and positive behavior interventions and support.
(2) Consistent with paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 32282, protocols to address the mental health care of pupils who have witnessed a violent act at any time, including, but not limited to, any of the following:
(A) While on school grounds.
(B) While going to or coming from school.
(C) During a lunch period whether on or off campus.
(D) During, or while going to or coming from, a school-sponsored activity.
(a) The department shall electronically distribute
disaster preparedness educational materials and lesson plans that are
currently available to school districts and county offices of
education.
(b) The department shall ensure that the disaster preparedness materials are available in at least the three most dominant primary languages spoken by English learners in California, according to the language census.
(c) The department shall coordinate with the Office of Emergency Services to make sure that all materials are reviewed and updated annually.
(b) The department shall ensure that the disaster preparedness materials are available in at least the three most dominant primary languages spoken by English learners in California, according to the language census.
(c) The department shall coordinate with the Office of Emergency Services to make sure that all materials are reviewed and updated annually.
The Department of Justice and the State Department of
Education, in accordance with Section 32262, shall contract with one
or more professional trainers to coordinate statewide workshops for
school districts, county offices of education, and schoolsite
personnel, and in particular school principals, to assist them in the
development of their respective school safety and crisis response
plans, and provide training in the prevention of bullying as defined
in subdivision (r) of Section 48900. The Department of Justice and
the State Department of Education shall work in cooperation with
regard to the workshops coordinated and presented pursuant to the
contracts. Implementation of this section shall be contingent upon
the availability of funds in the annual Budget Act.
The department shall develop an online training module to
assist all school staff, school administrators, parents, pupils, and
community members in increasing their knowledge of the dynamics of
bullying and cyberbullying. The online training module shall include,
but is not limited to, identifying an act of bullying or
cyberbullying, and implementing strategies to address bullying and
cyberbullying.
The comprehensive school safety plan may also include, at
local discretion of the governing board of the school district and
using local funds, procedures for responding to the release of a
pesticide or other toxic substance from properties located within
one-quarter mile of a school. No funds received from the state may be
used for this purpose.
(a) Each school shall adopt its comprehensive school safety
plan by March 1, 2000, and shall review and update its plan by March
1, every year thereafter. A new school campus that begins offering
classes to pupils after March 1, 2001, shall adopt a comprehensive
school safety plan within one year of initiating operation, and shall
review and update its plan by March 1, every year thereafter.
(b) Commencing in July 2000, and every July thereafter, each school shall report on the status of its school safety plan, including a description of its key elements in the annual school accountability report card prepared pursuant to Sections 33126 and 35256.
(b) Commencing in July 2000, and every July thereafter, each school shall report on the status of its school safety plan, including a description of its key elements in the annual school accountability report card prepared pursuant to Sections 33126 and 35256.
If the Superintendent of Public Instruction determines that
there has been a willful failure to make any report required by this
article, the superintendent shall do both of the following:
(a) Notify the school district or the county office of education in which the willful failure has occurred.
(b) Make an assessment of not more than two thousand dollars ($2,000) against that school district or county office of education. This may be accomplished by deducting an amount equal to the amount of the assessment from the school district's or county office of education's future apportionment.
(a) Notify the school district or the county office of education in which the willful failure has occurred.
(b) Make an assessment of not more than two thousand dollars ($2,000) against that school district or county office of education. This may be accomplished by deducting an amount equal to the amount of the assessment from the school district's or county office of education's future apportionment.
(a) In order to ensure compliance with this article, each
school shall forward its comprehensive school safety plan to the
school district or county office of education for approval.
(b) (1) Before adopting its comprehensive school safety plan, the schoolsite council or school safety planning committee shall hold a public meeting at the schoolsite in order to allow members of the public the opportunity to express an opinion about the school safety plan.
(2) The schoolsite council or school safety planning committee shall notify, in writing, the following persons and entities, if available, of the public meeting:
(A) The local mayor.
(B) A representative of the local school employee organization.
(C) A representative of each parent organization at the schoolsite, including the parent teacher association and parent teacher clubs.
(D) A representative of each teacher organization at the schoolsite.
(E) A representative of the student body government.
(F) All persons who have indicated they want to be notified.
(3) The schoolsite council or school safety planning committee is encouraged to notify, in writing, the following persons and entities, if available, of the public meeting:
(A) A representative of the local churches.
(B) Local civic leaders.
(C) Local business organizations.
(c) In order to ensure compliance with this article, each school district or county office of education shall annually notify the State Department of Education by October 15 of any schools that have not complied with Section 32281.
(b) (1) Before adopting its comprehensive school safety plan, the schoolsite council or school safety planning committee shall hold a public meeting at the schoolsite in order to allow members of the public the opportunity to express an opinion about the school safety plan.
(2) The schoolsite council or school safety planning committee shall notify, in writing, the following persons and entities, if available, of the public meeting:
(A) The local mayor.
(B) A representative of the local school employee organization.
(C) A representative of each parent organization at the schoolsite, including the parent teacher association and parent teacher clubs.
(D) A representative of each teacher organization at the schoolsite.
(E) A representative of the student body government.
(F) All persons who have indicated they want to be notified.
(3) The schoolsite council or school safety planning committee is encouraged to notify, in writing, the following persons and entities, if available, of the public meeting:
(A) A representative of the local churches.
(B) Local civic leaders.
(C) Local business organizations.
(c) In order to ensure compliance with this article, each school district or county office of education shall annually notify the State Department of Education by October 15 of any schools that have not complied with Section 32281.
A complaint of noncompliance with the school safety planning
requirements of Title IV of the federal No Child Left Behind Act of
2001 (20 U.S.C. Sec. 7114 (d)(7)) may be filed with the department
under the Uniform Complaint Procedures as set forth in Chapter 5.1
(commencing with Section 4600) of Title 5 of the California Code of
Regulations.
