Purpose
ENCSD is committed to providing a safe, orderly, and supportive learning and living environment for all students, staff, and visitors. The purpose of this policy is to establish expectations for school safety, emergency preparedness, and injury and violence prevention across all ENCSD programs, including instructional, residential, and extracurricular settings.
ENCSD shall take reasonable and appropriate measures to prevent and respond to safety risks, emergencies, injuries, and threats to individuals or property. Safety planning and implementation shall account for the unique communication and access needs of Deaf and hard of hearing students and staff and shall include the Residential Program as an integral part of the school community.
I. Scope
This policy applies to:
- All ENCSD students, including those participating in the Residential Program
- All employees, including instructional, residential, administrative, and support staff
- Volunteers, contractors, and visitors while on ENCSD property or participating in ENCSD-sponsored activities
- All ENCSD facilities, vehicles, programs, and activities, whether conducted on or off campus
II. Definitions
For the purposes of this policy, the following definitions apply:
- Emergency Response Plan: A written plan outlining procedures for prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery from emergencies, including drills and coordination with emergency responders.
- Threat Assessment Team: A multidisciplinary team established to identify, assess, and manage potential threats to school safety in accordance with applicable laws and State Board of Education guidance.
III. Responsibilities
Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees shall:
- Adopt policies that promote safe and orderly school environments
- Ensure compliance with applicable safety-related laws and regulations
- Support administrative efforts to maintain effective school safety programs
Superintendent
The Superintendent or designee shall:
- Develop and implement procedures consistent with this policy
- Ensure school safety and emergency response plans are established, reviewed, and updated
- Coordinate with local emergency responders and state agencies as required
- Ensure training is provided to all staff
Principal
The school principal shall:
- Enforce safety rules and procedures
- Support the operation of threat assessment teams
- Ensure emergency drills are conducted as required
- Communicate safety expectations in accessible formats
Employees
All ENCSD employees shall:
- Follow established safety and emergency procedures
- Report safety concerns, threats, or incidents promptly
- Provide appropriate supervision to students, including during residential hours
Students
Students shall:
- Follow safety rules and instructions
- Participate appropriately in safety drills
- Report safety concerns or threats to staff
IV. School Safety Planning and Prevention
ENCSD shall implement comprehensive school safety measures, including but not limited to:
- Development and maintenance of emergency response plans
- Use of threat assessment processes to address potential risks
- Coordination with law enforcement, emergency management, and public health officials
- Appropriate supervision and monitoring of school and residential facilities
- Ongoing evaluation of safety practices and procedures
V. Residential Program Safety
The Residential Program shall be fully integrated into ENCSD’s school safety planning. Safety measures shall include:
- Emergency response procedures specific to residential facilities
- Training for residential staff on supervision, emergency response, and student safety
- Accessible safety communication during non-instructional hours
- Regular drills and reviews appropriate to the residential setting
VI. Accessibility and Communication
All safety-related plans, drills, training, and communications shall be accessible to Deaf and hard of hearing stakeholders. ENCSD shall provide reasonable accommodations, including visual alarms, captioned or visual materials, and ASL interpretation when appropriate, to ensure effective communication before, during, and after emergencies.
Legal References
- 29 C.F.R. Part 1904, Recording and Reporting Occupational Injuries and Illnesses
- G.S. 14-208.18, Bomb Threats on School Property
- G.S. 95-129, North Carolina Occupational Safety and Health Act
- G.S. 115C-36; 115C-47; 115C-105.49; 115C-105.51; 115C-105.53; 115C-105.54; 115C-166; 115C-167; 115C-288; 115C-289.1; 115C-307; 115C-390.3; 115C-391.1; 115C-521; 115C-524; 115C-525
- 13 NCAC 7A .0301
- 16 NCAC 6E .0107
- North Carolina State Board of Education Policy SCFC-005, School Crisis and Emergency Response Planning
This policy shall be reviewed and updated periodically to ensure continued compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and best practices for serving deaf and hard of hearing students.