School Safety and Threat Assessment

Because of our commitment to safety and security preparedness, the Williams Valley School District has the following structures in place.

All-Hazards Plan
Our All-Hazards Plan is the framework for a unified response to an emergency on school property. Developed and annually reviewed with community first responders, this plan empowers District administrators to act quickly and efficiently in the event of an emergency.

Director of Student and Public Safety
Working in coordination with district administrators, including our building principals, the Superintendent coordinates and spearheads efforts focused on promoting the safety of our schools.

Emergency Management Coordination
We are grateful to maintain close working relationships with municipal and state first responders and emergency management professionals who help guide planning and response to emergencies that could occur on our campuses.

Threat Assessment Protocol
Pursuant to Act 18 of 2019, WVSD established a Threat Assessment Team comprised of school administrators and mental health professionals. These teams are designed to assess and intervene with students whose behavior may indicate a threat to the safety of the student, other students, school employees, school facilities, or the community. These teams coordinate with law enforcement and outside services when necessary to ensure a safe outcome for all stakeholders. Team members and district administrators are trained in the utilization of Comprehensive Threat Assessment Guidelines derived from the University of Virginia Youth Violence Project.

Parental and Employee Notification of Weapon Incidents (Act 44 of 2025)
Act 44 of 2025, a Pennsylvania school safety law that requires notification to parents or guardians and school employees when an incident involving the possession of a weapon occurs on school property, on school transportation, or at a school sponsored activity.

Notifications are issued based on the location and setting of the incident and are required to be sent within 24 hours unless circumstances require otherwise. To protect student privacy and comply with confidentiality requirements, notifications do not include personally identifiable student information and provide only limited details such as the date and general location of the incident.

An increase in required notifications should not be interpreted as a decrease in school safety. These notices reflect a legal communication requirement and may include situations that do not represent an active safety threat.

Building Visitor Procedures
WVSD requires visitors to sign in at each school office for every visit.

Surveillance Camera Systems
Cameras are positioned throughout district buildings and are evaluated regularly and upgraded over time.

Professional Development
WVSD provides ongoing training opportunities for staff related to safety practices, including A.L.I.C.E. response procedures and steps to be taken in more general critical incident scenarios such as severe weather events.

Learning Experiences for Students
Various drills such as fire drills, severe weather drills, and intruder or evacuation drills are used to prepare students for emergencies. Developmental differences among K through 12 students are considered, and drills are designed to prepare students without creating unnecessary fear.

Families play an important role in maintaining a safe school environment. Regularly checking backpacks, jackets, and sports bags and reinforcing expectations about prohibited items can help prevent accidental situations and unnecessary disruptions to learning.

Administrative Searches
As one facet of providing a safe and secure learning environment, the District takes proactive measures to prevent illegal materials from being present in schools. Hallway and gym lockers are the property of the school and are loaned to students. School officials may search student lockers if a building administrator has a reasonable belief that a locker contains items in violation of federal, state, or local law or school policy. Per school board policy, searches may include the use of metal detectors and canine units. Any illegal materials found may be used as evidence in disciplinary, juvenile, or criminal proceedings.

Vehicles located in permitted parking lots are also subject to search without additional prior notice and may include the use of canine units. Searches of a student’s person or personal property are permitted when there is a reasonable belief that the student possesses items in violation of law or policy. If a pat-down is required, it will be conducted by a designated school official of the same sex in the presence of another staff member. Additional security devices may be used as appropriate. Students are encouraged to be part of the solution by reporting concerns to a trusted adult.

Reporting Concerns
One of the most important elements of school safety is receiving information before a harmful act occurs. Early reporting allows the District to investigate concerns, provide appropriate intervention or support, and when necessary, fulfill legal notification requirements in a timely and responsible manner.

Concerns may be reported in several ways.

If a concern arises outside the school day and requires immediate response, contact local law enforcement

During investigations, administrators seek specific details such as time, location, and individuals involved. Timely and accurate reporting is essential. School actions and discipline are guided by board policy, the Student Code of Conduct, and applicable federal and state regulations.

How We Communicate During Emergencies
The District works intentionally to provide clear, accurate, and timely information to families, staff, and the community. Communications are coordinated with local law enforcement to ensure consistency and clarity.

In addition to emergency communications, the District is required by law to issue certain safety related notifications. These notifications are informational in nature and are intended to promote transparency. They do not necessarily indicate an ongoing emergency or active threat.

Emergency messages and required safety notifications may be delivered through the District’s mass communication system. Contact information is pulled from the student information system. Families are encouraged to keep their contact information current to ensure timely communication.