In accordance with Act 18 of 2019, the Allegheny Valley School District has established a Threat Assessment Team for the 2022-2023 school year. The team is responsible for the assessment of and intervention with students whose behavior may indicate a threat to the safety of the student, other students, school employees, school facilities, the community, or others. The Threat Assessment Team is also responsible for providing training, education, and information to members of their school communities. The core team is comprised of:
Tom Downing, School Police Officer
Kevin Gourley, School Police Officer
Greg Heavner, Elementary Supervisor/School Safety Coordinator
Melissa Holler, Special Education Supervisor
Andrew Leviski, Springdale Jr-Sr High School Principal
Danielle Britton, District Social Worker
Rebecca Dyer, Secondary School Counselor
Rebecca Garbisch, Elementry School Counselor
Andrea Sadowski, Secondary School Counselor
Kandi Conner, School Nurse
Jan Zastawniak, Public Relations Director/School Safety Co-Chair
Jay Zangrille, Supervisor of Buildings & Grounds
Policy 231.6 was approved to govern the Threat Assessment Team. A complete copy of the policy can be found in the District's Policy Manual located on BoardDocs.
Information for Students, Parents/Guardians & Staff
The District will provide information to students, staff, and parents/guardians about the existence and purpose of the Threat Assessment Team. The Team shall provide information to students regarding recognition of threatening or at-risk behavior that may present a threat to the student, other students, school employees, school facilities, the community, or others and how to report concerns, including through the Safe2Say Something program and other district reporting hotlines or methods.
The Threat Assessment Team shall make available information for school employees regarding recognition of threatening or at-risk behavior that may present a threat to the student, other students, school employees, school facilities, the community, or others and how to report concerns, including through the Safe2Say Something program and other district reporting hotlines or methods.
Reporting and Identification
The Threat Assessment Team shall assess, document, and respond to reports received regarding students whose behavior may indicate a threat to the safety of the student, other students, school employees, school facilities, the community, or others. The Team will also:
- assist in assessing and responding to reports that are received through the Safe2Say Something Program, identifying students who may be a threat to themselves or others.
- assist in assessing and responding to reports of students exhibiting self-harm or suicide risk factors or warning signs, as identified in accordance with applicable law and Board policy.
When the threat assessment team has made a preliminary determination that a student’s reported behavior may indicate a threat to the safety of the student, other students, school employees, school facilities, the community, or others, the team shall notify the building principal of the school the student attends of the reported threat, who shall notify the student’s parent/guardian of the reported threat and notify the Superintendent and School Safety and Security Coordinator of the reported threat.
When a reported student’s behavior indicates that there may be an imminent threat to the safety of the student or others or an emergency situation, a threat assessment team member shall take immediate action, which may include promptly reporting to the appropriate law enforcement agency and school administration. Where a threat assessment team member has reasonable cause to suspect that a reported situation indicates that a student may be a victim of child abuse, the member shall make a report of suspected child abuse in accordance with law and Board policy.
When the assessment of a student’s behavior determines that it is not a threat to the student, other students, school employees, school facilities, the community, or others, the threat assessment team shall document the assessment and may refer the student to other appropriate resources such as a child study team, the Student Assistance Program team, an IEP or Section 504 Team or other district supports and services.
The threat assessment team shall maintain confidentiality and handle all student records in accordance with applicable law, regulations, Board policy, the Student Records Plan and the district's legal and investigative obligations. The threat assessment team shall provide the required information to the Superintendent, in consultation with the School Safety and Security Coordinator, to annually develop and present to the Board, at an executive session, a report outlining the district’s approach to threat assessment.