JLI - DANGEROUS STUDENT BEHAVIOR PREVENTION AND INTERVENTION

JLI - DANGEROUS STUDENT BEHAVIOR PREVENTION AND INTERVENTION

1. Purpose
   The purpose of this policy is to establish standards for the prevention, reporting, review, and response to dangerous student behavior in accordance with 20-A M.R.S.A. §6555. The Regional School Unit 21 (RSU 21) Board of Directors is committed to maintaining safe learning and working environments while prioritizing supportive, restorative, and trauma-responsive practices that promote student growth and accountability.  This policy shall be implemented in a fair, consistent, and nondiscriminatory manner.
    
2. Definitions
   1. "Administrator" means an individual who provides leadership services to assist in the operation of schools, including, but not limited to, in the following capacities: superintendent, assistant superintendent, building administrator and principal, and assistant principal. 
   2. "Assigned Public School Employee" means a public school employee designated by the local president of the applicable bargaining unit to participate in the review of a reported incident of dangerous behavior, as provided in 20-A M.R.S.A. § 6555.
   3. "Dangerous Behavior" means student behavior that presents a risk of injury or harm to a student or others.
       
3. Standards
   1. Reporting and Review
      Public school employees who witness or become aware of Dangerous Behavior shall report the behavior to an Administrator. The Administrator, in collaboration with an Assigned Public School Employee, shall review reported incidents to determine whether the behavior is substantiated.
   2. Response
      If the report of the incident of Dangerous Behavior is substantiated, the Administrator shall, in consultation with the public school employee who was subjected to the Dangerous Behavior, if any, develop an individualized response plan to avoid future dangerous behavior, which may include but is not limited to: 
      1. Minimizing suspension and expulsion of the student;
      2. Prioritizing counseling and guidance services for the student and educators;
      3. Providing positive behavioral interventions and supports designed to address the consequences of trauma in the individual and training for the student and educators;
      4. Restorative practices and restorative interventions; 
      5. Training for public school employees who interact with the student; and,
      6. Provision of adequate staffing and professional development necessary to implement the plan.
   3. Communication
      The Administrator/designee shall inform the parent/guardian of the student that a report was substantiated and consult with them in developing the individualized response plan.
   4. Legal Compliance
      1. Nothing in this policy may be construed as limiting any federally protected right of a student, including, but not limited to, federally protected rights of students with disabilities.  
      2. Notwithstanding any provision of this policy to the contrary, in the case of a student eligible for services under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act or protected from discrimination under Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, any discussions or actions related to the identification, evaluation or educational placement of the student or provision of a free, appropriate public education to the student must take place through the processes established under federal law. 
   5. Collective bargaining dispute
      If a public school employee was subjected to the Dangerous Behavior and that employee is covered by a collective bargaining agreement, a dispute arising out of the incident of Dangerous Behavior is subject to the dispute resolution process of the collective bargaining agreement.  
   6. Implementation
      The Superintendent shall be responsible for implementing this policy and will develop administrative procedures as necessary to ensure compliance with 20-A M.R.S.A. § 6555.

Legal References

20-A M.R.S.A. § 6555

20-A M.R.S.A. § 1001, 15A
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), 20 U.S.C. § 1400 et seq.
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. § 794

Cross-References

AC - Non Discrimination/Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action 

ACAA - Harassment and Sexual Harassment of Students
ACAA-R - Student Discrimination and Harassment Complaint Procedure
JIC - Student Code of Conduct
JICIA - Weapons, Violence and School Safety
JICK - Bullying
JK - Student Discipline

JKAA - Use of Physical Restraint and Seclusion

JKF - Discipline of Students with Disabilities
JKD - Suspension of Students
JKE - Expulsion of Students

JL - Student Wellness

JLI - Dangerous Student Behavior Prevention and Intervention Procedure

Adopted: 06/15/26