06.59 REPORTING THREATENING BEHAVIOR

All district officers, employees and school board members have a legal obligation under Oklahoma law to report to law enforcement verbal threats or acts of threatening behavior which reasonably have the potential to endanger students, school personnel or school property. Under this policy, “Threatening Behavior” means any verbal threat or threatening behavior, whether or not it is directed at another person, which indicates potential for future harm to students, school personnel or school property. If a District official, employee or school board member reasonably believes that a person has made a verbal threat or exhibited threatening behavior which has the potential to endanger students, school personnel or school property, and—given the immediacy of the behavior—it is reasonable to do so, the individual should first report the matter to school administration.

Instances of verbal threats or acts of threatening behavior which reasonably have the potential to endanger students, school personnel or school property should also be reported to the principal or other school official. This reporting obligation exists in all instances, including conduct at school or connected with school activities and conduct that happens off of school property. Accordingly, all employees have an obligation to notify the principal or other school official, if for any reason the employee believes that verbal threats or acts of threatening behavior have been made which reasonably have the potential to endanger students, school personnel or school property.

Oklahoma law provides that any district employee who in good faith makes a report to an appropriate law enforcement office has immunity from civil liability and employment discipline that might otherwise be incurred or imposed if the employee reasonably believes a person is making verbal threats or exhibiting threatening behavior.

Reference: 70 OKLA. STAT. § 24-100.8