Mississippi Department of Education Office of Safe and Orderly Schools School Safety Division
Mission Provide school districts, school administrators, local responders and parents with information, technical assistance and guidance in the development, implementation, and operation of a safe and orderly school environment to create a world-class educational system that gives students the knowledge and skills to be successful in college and in the workforce, and to flourish as parents and citizens.
Organization Division of Pupil Transportation Bus Driver Training Driver Education Safe Routes to School Program Division of School Building Playground Safety Building and Grounds Safety and Maintenance Division of School Safety School Resource Officer/School Safety Officer Training Crisis Response Team School Safety Assessment Juvenile Threat Assessment Training Physical Security Training
Division of Pupil Transportation Leonard Swilley and Janice Grant 601-359-1028 Accreditation Standard 29 Training School Bus Drivers Pre-Kindergarten Transportation] State Statistical Reports Minimum Standards for School Buses Approved Bus Prices Motor Vehicle Reports for School Bus Drivers Pupil Transportation Program Assessments Driver Education Driver Education/Simulation
Division of School Building Mark Hobson, Dennis Meador and Angelo Nuzzo 601-359-1028 Accreditation Standard 30 School facilities site approval Playground Safety School facilities assessments School facilities workshops Federal Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) 3 year inspections Qualified Zone Academy Bonds (QZABs) Job-Site inspections Construction document reviews Life Safety Code training Building complaint resolution Relocatable Classrooms Impact Aid Fire Inspections
Division of School Safety The division operates the MDE School Safety Center in accordance with the provisions of Section 37-3-81, Mississippi Code of 1972, Annotated. The division conducts training for both School Resource Officers and School Safety Officers in accordance with the provisions of Section 37-7-321, Mississippi Code of 1972, Annotated. The division operates the MDE Crisis Response team and toll free hotline in accordance with the provisions of Section 37-3-93, Mississippi Code of 1972, Annotated.
MDE School Safety Center Mission: To provide training, guidance, technical assistance, and resources to superintendents, principals, teachers, staff, parents, and local responders in the provision of an safe, effective and efficient education environment. Provide research and analysis of issues affecting school safety and emergency operations. Provide resources for training in physical security, emergency operations, crisis planning, law enforcement and emergency services, and legal aspects of discipline. Provide liaison with other state/federal agencies in issues affecting school safety.
Training Maintain a list of subject matter experts to conduct training such as: School Resource Officer Basic Course School Safety Officer Basic Course School Safety Administrator Course Crisis Response Planning for Schools Violent Confrontation Avoidance for Educators Passive Restraint for Educators School Safety Law and Policy Development Juvenile Threat Assessment Protocol Administrative Investigative Techniques and Kinesic Interviewing State Bullying Curriculum
Operations Operate the Stay Safe Hotline for the anonymous reporting of school safety issues 24-7. 1-601-714-6234 Provide operational and program guidance to districts with a campus police department or security department. Provide operational and program guidance to districts in crisis response operations and crisis plan development Conduct comprehensive school safety assessments on request. Provide technical assistance and training in accreditation school safety compliance. Support MDE in the provision of desk officers on MEMA activation.
Programs Provide information and technical assistance in the establishment and operation of programs to reduce bullying and harassment. Provide information and technical assistance in the establishment and operations of programs to reduce noncompliant behavior, alcohol and drug usage, and promote mentoring of at risk students. Provide referral for training in programs such as Drug and Alcohol Reduction Education (DARE) and Gang Reduction Education and Training (GREAT)
Accreditation Standard 31 The school district complies with State Board Policies and State and Federal laws to provide for Safe and Healthy Schools. 1. The district must possess and disseminate a student code of conduct IAW Section 37-11-53, Mississippi Code of 1972, Annotated. 2. The school must enforce the discipline plan IAW Section 37-9-69, Mississippi Code of 1972, Annotated. 3. All crimes must be reported to law enforcement and youth court IAW the provisions of Section 37-11-29, Mississippi Code of 1972, Annotated. 4. The district must have in effect: 1. Restraint policy IAW the provisions of Section 37-9-69, Mississippi Code of 1972, Annotated, and Section VI of the School Safety manual. 2. Search policy for students, personal property and vehicles IAW the provisions of Section 37-9-69, Mississippi Code of 1972, Annotated. 3. Enforced visitor control policy IAW the provisions of Section 37-9-69, Mississippi Code of 1972, Annotated.
Accreditation Standard 31 Are school security/safety/law enforcement personnel: 1. Certified by MDE IAW the provisions of Section 37-7-321, Mississippi Code of 1972, Annotated? 2. Supervised by a designee of the superintendent other than a principal? 3. Are all SROs Mississippi Board of Peace Officers Standards and Training certified FULL TIME police officers? 4. Have all SROs qualified with weapons every six months? 5. Have all school safety personnel received 40 hours in-service training during the last 12 months? For a comprehensive list of all laws, codes and policies, please refer to the School Safety Law and Policy Development Manual.
Accreditation Standard 31 Each school has a comprehensive school safety plan on file that has been approved annually by the local school board. 1. The School Safety Plans consists of 3 Parts: A. Those district policies and procedures that promote a safe and orderly school. B. Those programs that reduce non-compliant behavior by students. C. The Crisis Response Plan 2. It is revised after the annual school safety assessment and must be approved by the school board each year. 3. Must provide response protocols for : A. Fire/explosion B. Tornado/Inclement weather C. Bomb threat/active shooter lockdown D. Earthquake E. Hazardous Materials F. Threats unique to the school
Accreditation Standard 31 4. Staff and students must be trained. 5. A school level crisis response team must be identified and trained. 6. Drills must be conducted and recorded in accordance with the Occupational Safety and Crisis Response Planning Manual. 7. A family reunification point must be designated.
Contact Information Mississippi Department of Education Office of Safe and Orderly Schools Division of School Safety 359 North West Street P.O. Box 771 Jackson, Mississippi 39205-0771 Robert O. Laird, CFE, CSSD, Director Donald W. Criswell, CSSA Cooper Dixon, School Safety Specialist Dr. Bill Welch, Bureau Director Phone: 601 359 1028 Fax: 601 359 3184 http://www.healthyschoolsms.org/healthy_school_environment/school_safety.htm 24-7 Technical Assistance Line: 601-942-2445 Email: dcriswell@mde.k12.ms.us
State Board of Education Proposed Policy Proposed SBE Policy 4013 Restraint and Seclusion Current Data Reporting Proposed Data Reporting