Walla Walla first district in Eastern Washington to develop student threat assessment program

Walla Walla first district in Eastern Washington to develop student threat assessment program
This year, Walla Walla Public Schools became the first school district in Eastern Washington to develop a comprehensive Student Safety Assessment Team model. This model utilizes a team approach, including drawing upon community experts, to assess potential school threats.

The process requires building level teams to assess and screen the potential threats using a proven approach and standardized documentation forms. If the building level team needs additional support, the situation is then sent on to the district level team for help. Information sharing is a key component of this program.

The Student Safety Assessment Team model is based on best practices and is endorsed nationally by the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Secret Service and at the state level by OSPI and ESD 123.

This week the district conducted a districtwide training designed to teach school and district level teams how to use the protocols. Martin Speckmaier, a retired law enforcement veteran and school safety expert who specializes in the development and training of student threat assessment teams for schools, campuses, districts, and school communities, led the training.

Special thanks to ESD 123 for granting Walla Walla Public Schools funds for this training and the required supporting materials. The training was very successful. Also thanks to Assistant Personnel Director Liz Campeau for providing the leadership for this valuable program.

The establishment of the Student Safety Assessment Team model is aligned with the core elements of the districts Safe and Civil Schools program: prevention, crisis management and crisis recovery.