EBCC - Bomb Threats
BOMB THREATS
The School Committee recognizes that bomb threats are a significant concern to the school unit. Whether real and carried out or intended as a prank or for some other purpose, a bomb threat represents a potential danger to the safety and welfare of students and staff and to the integrity of school property. Bomb threats disrupt the instructional program and learning environment and also place significant demands on school financial resources and public safety services. These effects occur even when such threats prove to be false.
Any bomb threat will be regarded as an extremely serious matter and treated accordingly. The Committee directs the Superintendent/Principal to react promptly and appropriately to information concerning bomb threats and to initiate or recommend suitable disciplinary action.
A. Conduct Prohibited
No person shall make, or communicate by any means, whether verbal or non-
verbal, a threat that a bomb has been, or will be, placed on school premises.
Because of the potential for evacuation of the schools and other disruption of
school operations, placement of a bomb or of a “look-alike” bomb on school
premises will be considered a threat for the purpose of this policy.
It is also a violation of Committee policy to communicate by any means that
any toxic of hazardous substance or material has been placed, or will be placed,
on school premises with the intent to endanger the safety and welfare of students
or staff and/or to disrupt the operations of the schools. For the purpose of this
policy, “toxic or hazardous substance or material” means any material or
substance, including biomedical materials or organisms, that, when placed as
threatened, could be harmful to humans.
B. Definitions
1. A “bomb” means an explosive, incendiary of poison gas bomb, grenade,
rocket, missile, mine, “Molotov cocktail” or other destructive device.
2. A “look-alike bomb” means any apparatus or object that conveys the
appearance of a bomb or other destructive device.
3. A “bomb threat” is the communication, by any means, whether verbal
or nonverbal, that a bomb has been, or will be, placed on school
premises.
4. “School premises” means any school property and any location where
any school activities may take place.
C. Development of Bomb Threat Procedures
The Superintendent/designee shall be responsible for developing and
implementing procedures specific to bomb threats as part of the school unit’s
Crisis Response Plan. These procedures are intended to inform administrator
and staff of appropriate protocols to follow in the event that a bomb threat is
received and should include provisions to address:
1. Threat assessment (for the purpose of identifying a response that is in
proportion to the threat, in light of what is necessary to ensure safety);
2. Building evacuation and re-entry (including selection of potential alternative
sites for those who are evacuated);
3. Incident “command and control” (who is in charge, and when);
4. Communications contacts and mandatory bomb threat reporting;
5. Parent notification process;
6. Training for staff members; and
7. Support services for students and staff.
The initial bomb threat procedure will be subject to approval by the Committee.
The Superintendent/designee will be responsible for overseeing a review or
evaluation of bomb threat procedures prior to the Committee’s required annual
approval of the school unit’s Crisis Response Plan, or following implementation
of the procedure in response to a specific threat.
D. Reporting of Bomb Threats
A student who learns of a bomb threat or the existence of a bomb on school
premises must immediately report such information to the Superintendent/Principal,
teacher, or other employee in a position of authority.
An employee of the school unit who learns of a bomb threat shall immediately
inform the building administrator. The building administrator shall immediately
take appropriate steps to protect the safety of students and staff in accordance
with the school unit’s bomb threat procedure, as developed under Section C, and
inform the Superintendent/Principal of the threat.
All bomb threats shall be reported immediately to the local law enforcement authority, as
provided in the bomb threat procedures.
The Superintendent/Principal shall be responsible for reporting any bomb threat to the
Department of Education within two business days of the incident. Reports will
include the name of the school, the date and time of the threat, the medium used
to communicate the threat, and whether of not the perpetrators have been
apprehended.
E. Student Disciplinary Consequences
Making a bomb threat is a crime under Maine law. Any student suspected of
making a bomb threat shall be reported to law enforcement authorities for
investigation and possible prosecution. Apart from any penalty imposed by law,
and without regard to the existence or status of criminal charges, a student who
makes a bomb threat shall be subject to disciplinary action by the school.
The administration may suspend and/or recommend for expulsion any student
who makes a bomb threat. The making of a bomb threat will considered
deliberately disobedient and deliberately disorderly within the meaning of
20-A M.R.S.A. § 1001(9) and will be grounds for expulsion if found necessary
for the peace and usefulness of the school.
In addition, a student who is found after hearing by the School Committee to have brought a bomb to school shall be expelled from school for at least one-year in
accordance with 20-A M.R.S.A. § 1001(9-A) and Policy JICIA, except that the
Superintendent/Principal may modify the requirement for expulsion based on individual
circumstances.
A student who has been identified through the IEP process as having a disability
and whose conduct in violation of this policy is related to disability shall be
disciplined as provided in Policy JKF.
F. Aiding Other Students in Making Bomb Threats
A student who knowingly encourages, causes, aids or assists another student in
making or communicating a bomb threat shall be subject to the disciplinary
consequences described in Section E of this policy.
G. Failure to Report a Bomb Threat
A student who fails to report information or knowledge of a bomb threat or the
existence of a bomb or other destructive device in a school building or on
school property may be subject to disciplinary consequences, which may include
suspension and/or expulsion.
H. Staff Disciplinary Consequences
An Acton School employee who makes or communicates a bomb threat will be
reported to appropriate law enforcement authorities and will be reported to
appropriate law enforcement authorities and will be subject to disciplinary action
up to and including termination of employment. Disciplinary action taken shall be
consistent with collective bargaining agreements, other employment agreements and
School Committee policies.
An Acton School employee who fails to report information or knowledge of a bomb on school premises will be subject to discipline up to and including termination of employment.
I. Civil Liability
The school unit reserves the right to bring suit against any individual responsible
for a violation of this policy and to seek restitution and other damages as
permitted by law.
J. Lost Instructional Time
Instructional time lost as a result of a bomb threat will be rescheduled at the
earliest appropriate opportunity as determined by the Superintendent/Principal in
consultation with the School Committee.
Time lost may be rescheduled on a weekend or vacation day, or after what would
normally be the last day of the school year, except on the days when schools must be
closed as required by law.
K. Notification Through Student Handbook
All student handbooks shall address the school unit’s bomb threat policy and
procedures and explain the educational consequences of bomb threats. In
addition, students’ handbooks shall notify students and parents that bomb threats
violate School Committee policy and civil and criminal law.
Legal References: 18 U.S.C. §§ 921;8921
17-A M.R.S.A. § 210
20-A M.R.S.A. §§ 263; 1001(9); 1001(9-A); 1001(17);1001(18)
Ch. 125 § 10.06 (Me. Dept. of Ed. Rules)
Cross References: EBCA-Crisis Response Plan
JKD- Suspension of Students
JKE- Expulsion of Students
JKF- Suspension/Expulsion of Students with Disabilities
JICIA- Weapons, Violence and School Safety
JIC-Student Code of Conduct
Adopted: April 13, 2010
Revised: January 9, 2020