No. 38300 (Amendment): Rule R277-400. School Emergency Response Plans

(Amendment)

DAR File No.: 38300
Filed: 02/13/2014 12:40:44 PM

RULE ANALYSIS

Purpose of the rule or reason for the change:

Rule R277-400 is amended to provide language allowing access to public school buildings by specific groups, requiring, rather than permitting, local education agencies (LEAs) to alternate between required fire drills and emergency drills and giving LEAs/schools flexibility to schedule drills appropriate for the schools and their communities.

Summary of the rule or change:

The amendments provide language for access to buildings by specific groups, a requirement for other emergency drills, and give LEAs/schools flexibility to schedule drills appropriate for the schools and their communities.

State statutory or constitutional authorization for this rule:

• Subsection 53A-1-401(3)

Anticipated cost or savings to:

the state budget:

The amendments provide language requiring local policies about access to buildings by specific groups, a requirement for other emergency drills, and give LEAs/schools flexibility to schedule drills appropriate for the schools and their communities which likely will not result in a cost or savings to state government.

local governments:

The amendments provide language requiring local policies about access to buildings by specific groups, a requirement for other emergency drills, and give LEAs/schools flexibility to schedule drills appropriate for the schools and their communities which likely will not result in a cost or savings to local government.

small businesses:

The amendments provide language requiring local policies about access to buildings by specific groups, a requirement for other emergency drills, and give LEAs/schools flexibility to schedule drills appropriate for the schools and their communities which likely will not result in a cost or savings to small businesses.

persons other than small businesses, businesses, or local governmental entities:

The amendments provide language requiring local policies about access to buildings by specific groups, a requirement for other emergency drills, and give LEAs/schools flexibility to schedule drills appropriate for the schools and their communities which likely will not result in a cost or savings to persons other than small businesses, businesses, or local government entities.

Compliance costs for affected persons:

The amendments provide language requiring local policies about access to buildings by specific groups, a requirement for other emergency drills, and give LEAs/schools flexibility to schedule drills appropriate for the schools and their communities which likely will not result in any compliance costs.

Comments by the department head on the fiscal impact the rule may have on businesses:

I have reviewed this rule and I believe that there is likely no fiscal impact on businesses.

Martell Menlove, State Superintendent

The full text of this rule may be inspected, during regular business hours, at the Division of Administrative Rules, or at:

Education
Administration
250 E 500 S
SALT LAKE CITY, UT 84111-3272

Direct questions regarding this rule to:

• Carol Lear at the above address, by phone at 801-538-7835, by FAX at 801-538-7768, or by Internet E-mail at [e-mail]

Interested persons may present their views on this rule by submitting written comments to the address above no later than 5:00 p.m. on:

03/31/2014

This rule may become effective on:

04/07/2014

Authorized by:

Carol Lear, Director, School Law and Legislation

RULE TEXT

R277. Education, Administration.

R277-400. School Emergency Response Plans.

R277-400-1. Definitions.

A. "Board" means the Utah State Board of Education.

B. "Emergency" means a natural or man-made disaster, accident, act of war, or other circumstance which could reasonably endanger the safety of school children or disrupt the operation of the school.

C. "Emergency Preparedness Plan" means policies and procedures developed to promote the safety and welfare of students, protect school property, or regulate the operation of schools during an emergency occurring within an [school district]LEA or a school.

D. "Emergency Response Plan" means a plan developed by an [school district]LEA or school to prepare and protect students and staff in the event of school violence emergencies.

E. "LEA" means local education agency, including local school boards/ public school districts, charter schools, and, for purposes of this rule, the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind.

 

R277-400-2. Authority and Purpose.

A. This rule is authorized under Utah Constitution Article X Section 3 which vests general control and supervision of public education in the Board, and Section 53A-1-401(3) which allows the Board to adopt rules in accordance with its responsibilities.

B. The purpose of this rule is to establish general criteria for both Emergency Preparedness and Emergency Response plans required of schools and [school districts]LEAs in the event of[ natural disasters or] school[ violence] emergencies as defined in R277-400-1B. This rule also directs LEAs to develop prevention, intervention, and response measures and to prepare staff and students to respond promptly and appropriately to school[violence] emergencies.

 

R277-400-3. Establishing [School District]LEA Emergency Preparedness and Emergency Response Plans.

A. By July 1 of each year, each LEA shall certify to the Board that the LEA emergency preparedness and emergency response plan has been practiced at the school level, presented to and reviewed by its teachers, administrators, students and their parents, local law enforcement, and public safety representatives consistent with Section 53A-3-402(18).

B. As a part of an LEA's annual application for state or federal Safe and Drug Free School funds, the LEA shall reference its Emergency Response plan.

C. The plan(s) shall be designed to meet individual school needs and features. An [school district]LEA may direct schools within the [school district]LEA to develop and implement individual plans.

D. The LEA shall appoint a committee to prepare plan(s) or modify existing plan(s) to satisfy this rule. The committee shall consist of appropriate school and community representatives which may include school and [school district]LEA administrators, teachers, parents, community and municipal governmental officers, and fire and law enforcement personnel. Governmental agencies and bodies vested with responsibility for directing and coordinating emergency services on local and state levels shall be included on the committee.

E. [The]Each LEA shall[appoint appropriate persons at least once every three years to] review the plan(s) at least once every three years.

F. The Board shall develop Emergency Response [p]Plan models under Section 53A-3-402(18)(d).

 

R277-400-4. Notice and Preparation.

A. A copy of the plan(s) for each school within an [school district]LEA shall be filed in the LEA superintendent's or charter school director's office.

B. At the beginning of each school year, parents and staff shall receive a written notice of relevant sections of [school district]LEA and school plans which are applicable to that school.

C. Each school shall designate an Emergency Preparedness/Emergency Response week prior to April 30 of each school year. Community, student, teacher awareness, or training, such as those outlined in R277-400-7 and 8, would be appropriate activities offered during the week.

 

R277-400-5. Plan(s) Content--Educational Services and Student Supervision and Building Access.

[The]An LEA's plan shall contain measures which assure that, during an emergency, school children receive reasonably adequate educational services and supervision during school hours.

[A.](1) Evacuation procedures shall assure reasonable care and supervision of children until responsibility has been affirmatively assumed by another responsible party.

[B.](2) Release of a child [below]younger than ninth grade age at other than regularly scheduled hours is prohibited unless the parent or another responsible person has been notified and has assumed responsibility for the child. An older child may be released without such notification if a school official determines that the child is reasonably responsible and notification is not practicable.

[C.](3) LEAs shall, to the extent reasonably possible, provide educational services to school children whose regular school program has been disrupted by an extended emergency.

B. LEA plans, as determined by the LEA board, shall address access to public school buildings by specific groups: students, community members, lessees, invitees, and others.

(1) Access planning may include restricted access for some individuals.

(2) Plans shall address building access during identified time periods.

(3) Plans shall address possession and use of school keys by designated administrators and employees.

C. Resources and materials available for emergency training shall be identified in an LEA or school's plan.

 

R277-400-6. Emergency Preparedness Training.

A. The plan shall contain measures which assure that school children receive emergency preparedness training.

[A]B. School children shall [be provided with]receive training appropriate to their ages in rescue techniques, first aid, safety measures appropriate for specific emergencies, and other emergency skills.

[B]C. [Fire]Emergency drills:

(1) During each school year, elementary schools shall conduct [fire]emergency drills at least once each month during school [sessions]time.

[(2) A fire drill in secondary schools shall be conducted at least every two months, for a total of four fire drills during the nine month school year.

(3) The first fire drill shall be conducted within the first 10 days of the school year for both elementary and secondary schools.

]([4]2) [Required emergency evacuation drills may be substituted every other time by a security or safety drill to include]LEAs shall alternate one of the following practices or drills with required fire drills:

(a) shelter in place;

(b) earthquake[drill]; or

(c) lock down for violence[.];

(d) bomb threat;

(e) civil disturbance;

(f) flood;

(g) hazardous materials spill;

(h) utility failure;

(i) wind or other types of severe weather;

(j) shelter and mass care for natural and technological hazards; or

(k) an emergency drill appropriate for the particular school location.

[(5) The routine emergency evacuation drill, for fire, shall be conducted at least every other evacuation drill.

]D. Fire drills:

([6]1) Fire drills shall include the complete evacuation of all persons from the school building or the portion [thereof]of the building used for educational purposes. An exception may be made for the staff member responsible for notifying the local fire [department]emergency contact and handling emergency communications.

(2) All schools shall have one fire drill in the first 10 days of the regular school year.

(3) Elementary schools (grades K-6) shall have at least one fire drill every other month throughout the school year.

(4) Secondary schools (grades 7-12) shall have at least one fire drill every two months throughout the school year.

(5) Secondary schools (grades 7-12) shall have one fire drill in the first 10 days of the calendar year.

([7]6) When required by the local fire chief, the local fire department shall be notified prior to each fire drill.

([8]7) When a fire alarm system is provided, fire drills shall be initiated by activation of the fire alarm system.

[C. Schools shall hold at least one drill for other emergencies during the school year.

] [D]E. Schools that include both elementary and secondary grades in the school shall comply, at a minimum, with the elementary emergency drill requirements.

[E. Resources and materials available for training shall be identified in the plan.

]

R277-400-7. Emergency Response [Training]Review and Coordination.

A. Each LEA shall provide an annual training for [school district]LEA and school building staff on employees' roles, responsibilities and priorities in the emergency response plan.

B. LEAs shall require schools to conduct at least one annual drill for school[violence] emergencies[.]in addition to drills required under R277-400-6B(4) which shall be held no later than October 1 annually.

C. LEAs shall require schools to review existing security measures and procedures within their schools and make adjustments as needs demonstrate and funds are available.

D. LEAs shall develop standards and protections to the extent practicable for participants and attendees at school-related activities, with special attention to those off school property.

E. [School districts]LEAs and schools shall coordinate with local law enforcement and other public safety representatives in appropriate drills for school safety emergencies.

 

R277-400-8. Prevention and Intervention.

A. LEAs shall provide schools, as part of their regular curriculum, comprehensive violence prevention and intervention strategies such as resource lessons and materials on anger management, conflict resolution, and respect for diversity and other cultures.

B. As part of the violence prevention and intervention strategies, schools may provide age-appropriate instruction on firearm safety [(not use) ]including appropriate steps to take if a student sees a firearm or facsimile in school.

C. LEAs shall also develop, to the extent resources permit, student assistance programs such as care teams, school intervention programs, and interagency case management teams.

D. In developing student assistance programs, LEAs are encouraged to coordinate with and seek support from other state agencies and the Utah State Office of Education.

 

R277-400-9. Cooperation With Governmental Entities.

A. As appropriate, an LEA may enter into cooperative agreements with other governmental entities to assure proper coordination and support during emergencies.

B. LEAs shall cooperate with other governmental entities, as reasonably feasible, to provide emergency relief services. The plan(s) shall contain procedures for assessing and providing school facilities, equipment, and personnel to meet public emergency needs.

C. The plan(s) developed under R277-400-5 shall delineate communication channels and lines of authority within the LEA, city, county, and state.

(1) the Board, through its superintendent, is the chief officer for emergencies involving more than one LEA, or for state or federal assistance;

(2) the local board, through its superintendent, is the chief officer for [school district]LEA emergencies;

(3) the local charter school board through its director is the chief officer for local charter school emergencies;

(4) In the event of an emergency, school personnel shall maintain control of public school students and facilities during the regular school day or until students are released to [a ]parents or legal guardians .

 

R277-400-10. Fiscal [Procedures]Accountability.

The plan(s) under R277-400-5 shall address procedures for recording LEA funds expected for emergencies, for assessing and repairing damage, and for seeking reimbursement for emergency expenditures.

 

KEY: emergency preparedness, disasters, safety, safety education

Date of Enactment or Last Substantive Amendment: [September 21, 2012]2014

Notice of Continuation: February 13, 2014

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: Art X Sec 3; 53A-1-401(3); 53A-1-402(1)(b)

 

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