Overview
House Bill (H.B.) 61 - School Safety Requirements (2023)
H.B. 84 - School Safety Amendments (2024)
A Local Education Agency (LEA) shall ensure each school within the LEA has a designated School Safety and Security Specialist (Specialist), described as a school employee responsible for supporting school safety initiatives (Utah Code Section 53G-8-701.6). The Specialist may not be a principal, as defined in Utah Code Section 53G-8-701.6.
Requirements:
- Completes training requirements selected by the State Security Chief and School Safety Center.
- Collaborate with the County Security Chief regarding:
- conducting the School Safety Needs Assessment at least annually; and
- using the results of the annual School Safety Needs Assessment to recommend and implement improvements to school facilities, policies, procedures, protocols, rules, and regulations relating to school safety and security.
- Reports directly to the school's principal, as defined in Utah Code Section 53G-8-701.6.
- Monitors and reports to the principal, local law enforcement, and, if applicable, the LEA superintendent or designee on security risks for the school regarding school facilities or the implementation of safety practices.
- Oversees school safety and security practices to ensure a safe and secure school environment for students and staff.
- Ensures adherence to all policies, procedures, protocols, rules, and regulations relating to school safety.
- Be an active member of the school's multidisciplinary team and participate in all
duties including, but not limited to:
- conducting a behavioral threat assessment when deemed necessary using the Comprehensive School Threat Assessment Guidelines (CSTAG), which is the evidence-based tool recommended by the State Security Chief.
- Coordinates with local first responder agencies to implement and monitor safety and security drills.
- Ensures school staff and students receive training on the school's current safety and security practices.
- Organizes a debriefing with individuals in H.B. 84 (2024) Subsection (3)(c) regarding strengthening school safety and security practices following an event where the school's security has been significantly compromised.
- Abides by any LEA, school, or law enforcement agency policy outlining the chain of command.
- During an emergency, coordinates with school safety personnel.
- Follows any LEA, school, or law enforcement agency student privacy policies.
- Participates in an annual training the State Security Chief selects with the School Safety Center.
- Remains current on:
- CSTAG,
- the duties of a School Safety and Security Specialist, and
- the school's emergency preparedness and emergency response plans.
- During an active emergency at the school, acts subordinate to any responding law enforcement officer.
Application Cycle
The stipend formula grant will be administered through the Utah Grants Management System as a reimbursement program. LEAs must complete a Qualtrics survey, the FY25 School Safety and Security Specialist Accountability Report, through the link provided in Utah Grants before an application can be approved.
Every LEA will be allocated funds annually to distribute one School Safety and Security Specialist stipend per school. Each stipend will be up to $3,000, and the stipend cannot be split amongst multiple individuals. LEAs will determine the stipend amount with their Business Administrator, as final amounts distributed may differ after benefits are withheld.
Reimbursements will be approved in the Utah Grants Management System after the School Safety and Security Specialist's information has been submitted and verified through the Qualtrics survey.
UPDATED Due Date: October 15, 2024, by 5:00 PM
*All School Safety and Security Specialist designations are also due by October 15, 2024.
Contact Information
For all questions related to this program, please e-mail schoolsafetyprograms@schools.utah.gov.