Adoption Date: 06/22/2021

History: 02/22/22 (reviewed), 12/13/22 (reviewed), 12/12/23 (reviewed)

Policy

It is the policy of the Iowa City Community School District and the responsibility of all staff to maintain a workplace free from threats and acts of violence. The district will work to provide a safe environment for students, staff, and visitors. Everyone we come into contact with deserves to be treated with courtesy and respect.

Description

The district does not tolerate any type of violence committed by or against students, staff, or visitors. Staff, students, and visitors are prohibited from making threats or engaging in violent activities.

Prohibited Conduct

The list of behaviors, while not exhaustive, provides examples of conduct that is prohibited:

• Causing physical injury to another person.
• Making threatening remarks.
• Acting out in an aggressive or hostile manner that creates a reasonable fear of injury to another person or subjects another individual to emotional distress.
• Intentionally damaging employer property or property of another employee.
• Possessing a weapon while on district property or while on district business.
• Committing acts motivated by, or related to, sexual harassment or domestic violence.

Reporting Procedures

Any potentially dangerous situations must be reported immediately to administration, or Crisis Response Team, if one is available. Reports of violence may be made anonymously and investigated accordingly. Reports or incidents warranting confidentiality will be handled appropriately and information will be disclosed to others only on a need-to-know basis. All parties involved in a situation will be counseled and the results of investigations will be discussed with them. The district will take appropriate action at any indication of a potentially hostile or violent situation.

Risk Reduction Measures

While the district does not expect staff to be skilled at identifying potentially dangerous persons, staff is expected to exercise good judgment and to report the incident to a member of administration if any student, staff, or visitor exhibits behavior which could lead to a potentially dangerous situation. Such behavior includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• Discussing dangerous weapons and/or bringing such weapons into the workplace.
• Displaying overt signs or extreme stress, resentment, hostility, or anger.
• Making threatening remarks.
• Exhibiting sudden or significant deterioration of performance.
• Displaying irrational or inappropriate behavior.

The district will identify and maintain a list of violence incidents and will design a plan to prepare for possible emergency situations.

Dangerous/Emergency Situations

Staff who confront or encounter an armed or dangerous person should not attempt to challenge or disarm the individual. Staff should remain calm, make constant eye contact and talk to the individual. If an administrator can be safely notified of the need for assistance without endangering the safety of the students, staff, or others, such notice should be given.

Enforcement

Threats, threatening conduct, or any other acts of aggression or violence in the workplace will not be tolerated. Any student or staff determined to have committed such acts will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination, suspension, or expulsion. Non-staff engaged in violent acts on the district property or at a district-sponsored event will be reported to the proper authorities and fully prosecuted.

Commitments and Responsibilities

Successful implementation of this policy requires the commitment and cooperation of all district staff.

Administration Involvement and Commitment:

• Demonstrate concern for students and staff emotional and physical health and safety.
• Oversee Violence in the Workplace Program to ensure that all students and staff understand their obligations.
• Allocate authority and resources to responsible parties at each location.
• Encourage students and staff to report violent incidents promptly.

Human Resource Department's Involvement and Commitment:

• Create policy of zero tolerance for workplace violence, including verbal and nonverbal threats and related actions.
• Ensure that staff who report or experience violence will not experience retaliation of any kind.
• Encourage staff to promptly report incidents and suggest ways to reduce or eliminate risks.
• Conduct and/or provide training and education to staff regarding potential workplace violence incidents.
• Support and implement appropriate recommendations from the Employee Safety and Health Committee.

Employee Involvement and Commitment:

• Understand and comply with the Violence in the Workplace Program and any other safety and/or security measures in place.
• Participate in a staff suggestion procedure covering safety and security concerns.
• Promptly report violent incidents or potential for violence to administration.
• Participate in continuing education program that covers techniques to recognize escalating agitation, assaultive behavior, or criminal intent.