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Posted in P&P Sec C.

CE

Created:
Modified: 16 June 2026
Approved: 14 October 2026

School Safety Plan

Safety Needs Assessment—

Unless an exception or modification is granted by the state security chief, the District shall ensure that a school safety needs assessment is conducted by October 15 of an applicable year, for each school or K-12 campus in the District. The assessment must be conducted at least once every three years for each school or K-12 campus. The District shall update the assessment schedule as necessary to ensure compliance with the three-year assessment requirement. The District may implement a rotating or staggered schedule for the assessments provided that each school within a K-12 campus is assessed at least once every three years and the District documents the schedule and shares it with the state security chief, the School Safety Center, the county security chief, and the law enforcement agency with primary jurisdiction over the school’s physical location (referred to in this policy as the “local law enforcement agency”).

A school’s assessment is conducted by the school safety specialist in collaboration with the county security chief and with the local law enforcement agency. (A school safety and security director may fulfill the role of a school safety specialist in conducting the assessment.)

The assessment will be that selected by the state security chief in collaboration with the School Safety Center and will determine needs and deficiencies regarding (1) appropriate school safety personnel (including necessary supports, training, and policy creation for personnel), (2) physical building security and safety (including required upgrades to facilities and safety technology), (3) the school’s current threat and emergency response protocols (including any emergency response agreements with local law enforcement), (4) if applicable, a school’s current visitor management protocols, including alignment with recommended best practices as described in Utah Code § 53G-8-806; (5) student threat assessment information as defined below; (6) cardiac emergency preparedness (including an inventory of whether automated external defibrillators are present and accessible, maintenance status, and current staff training offerings) and (7) compliance with the universal access key box requirements.

The District shall report the results of each school safety needs assessment to the state security chief and the School Safety Center.

Utah Code § 53-25-701(1)(a) (2026)

Utah Code § 53G-8-701.5(1)(a)-(e), (3) (2026)

Utah Code § 53G-8-806(6)(b)(iii) (2026)

Safety Personnel—

Unless an exception or modification is granted by the state security chief, the District shall appoint or designate school safety personnel as required by statute and according to the timeline established by the state security chief. The personnel shall include a school safety and security director for the District, a school safety and security specialist for each school campus, and (for each school and based on the results of the school safety needs assessment) at least one school resource officer or school guardian or armed school security guard. A school may have the same individual serve in more than one of these roles if the school notifies the School Safety Center and the state security chief of the decision to do so.

Utah Code § 53G-8-701.5(2), (3) (2026)

Utah Code § 53G-8-701.8(1) (2026)

School safety and security director

The District school safety and security director is the District point of contact for the county security chief, local law enforcement, and the state security chief. The school safety and security director:

  1. Shall collaborate and maintain effective communications with local law enforcement, the county security chief, the District, and school-based behavioral and mental health professionals to ensure adherence with all policies, procedures, protocols, rules, and regulations relating to school safety and security;
  2. Shall, as applicable, coordinate security responses among school safety and security specialists, school resource officers, armed school security guards, and school guardians;
  3. If the school safety and security director is a District employee, shall be a member of the multidisciplinary team;
  4. Shall, only once, complete the training requirements for school guardians;
  5. Shall complete the school resource officer and administrator training the state security chief approves in consultation with the School Safety Center; and
  6. If serving as a backup school guardian, satisfy all the requirements that apply to a school guardian.

Utah Code § 53G-8-701.5(2)(b) (2026)

Utah Code § 53G-8-701.8(2) (2026)

Utah Code § 53-22-105(1)(a), (b), (e) (2026)

Utah Code § 53G-8-702 (2024)

Utah Code § 53G-8-703(4)(a)(ii) (2024)

Utah Code § 53G-8-213(1)(e) (2026)

Utah Admin. Rules R277-400-2(25) (November 7, 2025)

The school safety and security director does not have authority to act in a law enforcement capacity. The director may take actions necessary to prevent or abate an active threat and may temporarily detain an individual when the director has reasonable cause to believe the individual has committed or is about to commit a forcible felony. Except during an active threat, if the director is carrying a firearm on school grounds it shall be carried in a concealed manner and may not be displayed or open carried.

Utah Code § 53G-8-701.8(3), (4) (2026)

Utah Code § 76-2-402(1) (2022)

School safety and security specialist

A school safety and security specialist shall be designated for each school campus in the District from among the employees of that school campus. The specialist may not be the school principal or a teacher. (A teacher is an employee who has an assignment to teach in a classroom.) During an active emergency at the school, the specialist is subordinate to any responding law enforcement officers.

Utah Code § 53G-8-701.6(1), (2), (4) (2026)

Utah Code § 53G-8-701.5(2)(a)(i) (2026)

Utah Admin. Rules R277-400-9(4) (November 7, 2025)

The school safety and security specialist:

  1. Reports directly to the principal;
  2. Oversees school safety and security practices to ensure a safe and secure school environment for students and staff;
  3. Ensures adherence with all policies, procedures, protocols, rules, and regulations relating to school safety and security through collaborating and maintaining effective communications with, as applicable:
    1. The principal;
    2. School staff;
    3. The school resource officer;
    4. The armed school security guard;
    5. The school guardian;
    6. Local law enforcement;
    7. The county security chief;
    8. The school safety and security director;
    9. The District; and
    10. school-based behavioral and mental health professionals;
  4. In collaboration with the county security chief and the local law enforcement agency:
    1. Conducts the school safety needs assessment;
    2. Submits the completed assessments to the School Safety Center by October 15 of each year; and
    3. Reviews the results of the school safety needs assessment to recommend and implement improvements to school facilities, policies, procedures, protocols, rules, and regulations relating to school safety and security;
  5. Serves as a member of the multidisciplinary team;
  6. When deemed necessary by the specialist, conducts a behavioral threat assessment using an evidence-based tool recommended by the state security chief;
  7. Monitors and regularly reports to the principal, local law enforcement, and the Superintendent or designee security risks for the school resulting from either issues with school facilities or the implementation of practices, policies, procedures, and protocols relating to school safety and security;
  8. Coordinates with local first responder agencies to implement and monitor safety and security drills in accordance with policy and applicable procedures and protocols;
  9. Ensures that school staff and, when appropriate, students, receive training on and remain current on the school’s safety and security procedures and protocols;
  10. Following an event where security of the school has been significantly compromised, organizes a debriefing following the recommendations from the state security chief, in collaboration with the School Safety Center, regarding strengthening school safety and security practices, policies, procedures and protocols with (as applicable):
    1. The principal;
    2. School staff;
    3. The school resource officer;
    4. The armed school security guard;
    5. The school guardian;
    6. Local law enforcement;
    7. The county security chief;
    8. The school safety and security director;
    9. The District; and
    10. School-based behavioral and mental health professionals;
  11. Abides by District, school, and law enforcement policy outlining the chain of command;
  12. During an emergency and as applicable, coordinates with the:
    1. School resource officer;
    2. School guardian;
    3. Armed school security guards;
    4. School administrators; and
    5. Responding law enforcement officers;
  13. Follows District, school, and law enforcement student privacy policies (including state and federal privacy laws);
  14. Participates in annual training selected by the state security chief; and
  15. Remains current on:
    1. A comprehensive school guideline selected by the state security chief;
    2. The duties of a school safety and security specialist; and
    3. The school’s emergency response plan.

Utah Code § 53G-8-701.6(3) (2026)

Utah Code § 53G-8-213(1)(d) (2026)

Utah Admin. Rules R277-400-9(2), (4) (November 7, 2025)

School resource officer

A school resource officer is a law enforcement officer who provides law enforcement services for the District under a contract between the District and the officer or the officer’s law enforcement agency.

Utah Code § 53G-8-701(7) (2026)

Utah Code § 53-13-103 (2025)

The school resource officer’s responsibilities and duties are as outlined in Policy CEC and in the contract between the District and the law enforcement agency.

Utah Code § 53G-8-703(2) (2024)

School guardian

A school guardian is a school employee who meets the eligibility requirements and has been approved to be a school guardian by the school’s principal (or the Superintendent if a principal applies to be a guardian). A school may designate more than one school guardian. An employee’s school guardian status may be revoked at any time by the school principal, county sheriff, or state security chief.

Utah Code § 53-22-105(3), (8), (15) (2026)

A school employee may volunteer to be a school guardian if the employee’s regular work duties and responsibilities require the employee to be physically present at the school’s campus while school is in session. A teacher, or a person whose primary responsibilities require the employee to be primarily present in a classroom to teach, care for, or interact with students are not eligible unless the person is employed at a school with 350 or fewer students, or employed at a school with adjacent campuses as determined by the state security chief, or unless an exception is made by the state security chief.

Utah Code § 53-22-105(1)(g) (2026)

Utah Code § 53G-8-701.5(3) (2026)

To be qualified for designation as a school guardian, an eligible employee must:

  1. Satisfactorially complete the initial training for a school guardian within the prior six months;
  2. Hold a valid firearm concealed carry permit;
  3. Certify to the sheriff of the county where the school is located that the employee has undergone the initial training and intends to serve as a school guardian;
  4. Complete an initial “fit to carry” assessment the Department of Health and Human Services approves and a provider administers and maintain compliance with mental health screening requirements consistent with law enforcement standards; and
  5. Be approved by the school administrator to be a school guardian.

Utah Code § 53-22-105(3)(a) (2026)

A school guardian must complete the required annual and biannual training to retain the designation of a school guardian.

Utah Code § 53-22-105(1)(a), (b), (3)(b) (2026)

A school guardian does not have authority to act in a law enforcement capacity. The guardian may take actions necessary to prevent or abate an active threat and may temporarily detain an individual when the guardian has reasonable cause to believe the individual has committed or is about to commit a forcible felony.

Utah Code § 53-22-105(7) (2026)

Except during an active threat, a school guardian’s firearm  shall be carried in a concealed manner and may not be displayed or open carried. The guardian shall ensure the firearm is immediately accessible to respond to active threats during the guardian’s assigned duty hours. A guardian may temporarily store the guardian’s firearm  in a biometric gun safe located in the guardian’s office, but only for brief personal needs such as restroom use, or during required activities where carrying is physically impractical and storage is approved by the school administrator, or at the end of the guardian’s shift. The firearm must be immediately retrievable by the guardian and the temporary storage must not exceed 15 minutes (except as approved by the school administrator for documented necessity) and the storage must occur only when the guardian is physically present on school grounds.

Utah Code § 53-22-105(5) (2026)

Except when it occurs during a training exercise, a school guardian who points a firearm at an individual during the performance of the guardian’s duties shall file a report which describes the incident, identifies the individuals involved, and includes any other information required by the state security chief. The report shall be submitted within 48 hours of the incident to the school administrator, school safety and security director, and the state security chief.

Utah Code § 53-22-105(11), (12), (13) (2026)

“Deadly force” means a force that creates or is likely to create, or that the individual using the force intends to create, a substantial likelihood of death or serious bodily injury to an individual. If a school guardian uses deadly force, the guardian shall be subject to investigation by the law enforcement agency with primary jurisdiction over the school’s location. The guardian shall be placed on administrative leave pending the investigation. The guardian is not required to provide the report described in the paragraph above. The guardian is not required to participate in a voluntary interview. If the guardian chooses to participate in an interview, the interview may not be conducted sooner than two sleep cycles after the incident.

Utah Code § 53-22-105(1)(c), (14) (2026)

Utah Code § 76-2-408(1)(b) (2022)

A school guardian with active status in the school guardian program is not liable for civil damages or penalties if the guardian:

  1. Threatens, draws, or otherwise uses a firearm reasonably believing the action to be necessary in compliance with Utah Code § 76-2-402 (regarding use of force in defense of a person); or
  2. When carrying or storing a firearm, is acting in good faith and is not grossly negligent.

Utah Code § 53-22-105(10) (2026)

Utah Code § 76-2-402 (2022)

Armed school security guard

An “armed private security officer” is an individual employed by a contract security company whose primary duty is guarding personal or real property or providing protection or security to the life and well-being of humans or animals and who wears, carries, possesses, or has immediate access to a firearm in the performance of the individual’s duties. A “special function officer” is a sworn and certified peace officer performing specialized investigations, service of legal process, security functions, or specialized ordinance, rule, or regulatory functions. For an armed private security officer, a “contract security company” is a company that is engaged in business to provide security services to another person, business, or entity on a contractual basis by assignment of an armed or unarmed private security officer. For a special function officer, a “contract security company” is the officer’s employing law enforcement agency. An “armed school security guard” is a special function officer or is an armed private security officer who:

  1. Is licensed as an armed private security officer under Title 58, Chapter 63, Security Personnel Licensing Act;
  2. Has a valid firearm concealed carry permit;
  3. Has undergone training from the county security chief or from a local law enforcement agency regarding:
    1. The safe loading, unloading, storage, and carrying of firearms in a school setting;
    2. The role of armed security guards in a school setting; and
    3. Coordination with law enforcement and school officials during an active threat; and
  4. Has completed an initial “fit to carry” assessment the Department of Health and Human Services approves, and a provider administers, and maintains compliance with mental health screening requirements consistent with law enforcement standards.

In order to remain eligible to be assigned as an armed school security guard at a District school, the guard must participate in and satisfy the initial, annual, and biannual training requirements for school guardians.

Utah Code § 53-13-105(1)(a) (2025)

Utah Code § 53G-8-704(1), (4) (2026)

Utah Code § 58-63-102(3), (8) (2026)

Utah Code § 53-22-105(1)(a), (b), (e) (2026)

An armed school security guard’s responsibilities and duties are as outlined in Policy CED and in the contract between the District and the contract security company employing the guard.

Utah Code § 53G-8-704(2)(b), (3) (2026)

An armed school security guard may conceal or openly carry a firearm at the school at which the guard is employed under the contract between the District and the employing contract security company.

Utah Code § 53G-8-704(5) (2026)

An armed school security guard who points a firearm at an individual or aims a conductive energy device at an individual and displays the electrical current shall file a report which describes the incident, identifies the individuals involved, and includes any other information required by the state security chief. The report shall be submitted within 48 hours of the incident to the school administrator, school safety and security director, and the state security chief.

Utah Code § 53G-8-704(8), (9) (2026)

“Deadly force” is a force that creates or is likely to create, or that the individual using the force intends to create, a substantial likelihood of death or serious bodily injury to an individual. If an armed school security guard uses deadly force, the guard shall be subject to investigation by the law enforcement agency with primary jurisdiction over the school’s location. If the guard is a special function officer employed by a law enforcement agency, the investigation shall follow the protocol established for officer-involved shootings under Utah Code § 76-2-408. The guard shall be placed on administrative leave pending investigation. The guard is not required to provide a written report described in the paragraph above. The guard is not required to participate in a voluntary interview. If the guard chooses to participate in an interview, the interview may not take place sooner than two sleep cycles after the incident.

Utah Code § 53G-8-704(1)(d), (10) (2026)

Utah Code § 76-2-408(1)(b) (2022)

Student Threat Information Sharing—

A “credible threat” is a threat that has been evaluated by a threat assessment team and determined to pose a potential risk of physical violence, serious bodily injury, or significant property damage to students, school personnel, or school property, based on (1) the specificity and plausibility of the threat, (2) the student’s access to means to carry out the threat, (3) the student’s history of concerning behaviors, and (4) other factors identified through evidence-based threat assessment protocols.

“Threat assessment information” means (1) the nature and content of a credible threat, (2) the name of the student who made the threat, including known aliases, (3) the target or targets of the threat, (4) the threat assessment team’s evaluation and risk determination, (5) any safety interventions or support services provided, and (6) other information relevant to preventing violence and ensuring school safety.

The “threat assessment team” is a multidisciplinary team established by the District which includes a school administrator, school safety personnel (including a school safety and security specialist or a school resource officer), a mental health professional (if available), and other individuals as determined by the District.

When a student has presented a credible threat, the District shall report the threat assessment information to the State Board of Education and to others as required by State Board of Education regulations. The District shall also place a flag on a student’s record when any of the following apply: (1) a threat assessment team determines that the student has made a credible threat, (2) the threat involves potential harm to a student, school personnel, or school property, (3) the threat involves weapons or explosive devices, or (4) the threat assessment team determines that sharing the information is necessary to protect student and school safety.

Utah Code § 53G-8-806(1), (2), (3) (2026)

Universal Access Key Boxes—

A “universal access key box” is a UL Standard 1037 compliant secure container designed to store and protect emergency access keys and devices.

“Emergency responder” means law enforcement, fire service, or emergency medical personnel authorized by local authorities to respond to school emergencies.

A school building shall include universal access key boxes that:

  1. Are installed at main entry points;
  2. Contain master keys and access devices providing complete access to all areas of the school;
  3. Are accessible only to authorized emergency responders;
  4. Are electronically monitored for tampering; and
  5. Are weather-resistant and vandal-resistant.

The District shall maintain universal access key boxes by:

  1. Conducting quarterly inspections;
  2. Updating the contents within 24 hours of any lock or access control changes;
  3. Maintaining current key and access device inventories;
  4. Documenting all inspections and updates; and
  5. Immediately replacing any damaged or malfunctioning boxes.

The District shall coordinate with the county security chief and local first responders to:

  1. Determine optimal box placement;
  2. Establish access protocols;
  3. Maintain current emergency contact information; and
  4. Conduct annual reviews of box usage and effectiveness.

The District shall include universal access key box locations and protocols in school emergency response plans, building schematic diagrams provided to emergency responders, and school safety and security training materials.

Utah Code § 53G-8-805(1), (5), (6) (2026)

Utah Admin. Rules R277-471-4(1) – (4) (October 8, 2025)

Automated External Defibrillators—

An “AED” is an automated external defibrillator.

A “cardiac emergency response plan,” or “CERP,” is a plan developed by a school that addresses the appropriate use of school personnel to respond to incidents involving an individual experiencing sudden cardiac arrest or a similar life-threatening emergency while on school grounds.

“Emergency cardiovascular care” means immediate medical care provided to an individual experiencing a life-threatening cardiovascular emergency.

“Evidence-based core elements” means practices and standards for emergency cardiovascular care that are recommended by the American Heart Association or that are nationally recognized, evidence-based standards focused on emergency cardiovascular care.

Beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, each school in the District will develop a CERP that integrates evidence-based core elements. Each CERP will include:

  1. appropriate placement of an AED that:
    1. is determined by the CERP in accordance with guidelines for AED placement that an organization focused on emergency cardiovascular care establishes;
    2. is identified with appropriate signage;
    3. is on-site at the school or placed on school property in a location that is accessible within three minutes; and
    4. is maintained in an unlocked location on school property that enables placement on a victim within three minutes; and
  2. designation of appropriate school staff to be trained in:
    1. first aid;
    2. cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR; and
    3. AED use that follows evidence-based guidelines.

The staff designated to receive the training may include an educator, a school nurse, or an athletic trainer.

The District will test and maintain the AEDs according to the manufacturer guidelines. For each District school, the District will inform appropriate emergency services providers of the type of AED in place and the location or locations of AEDs in the school.

Utah Code § 53G-9-216 (2026)

Panic alert devices—

Consistent with the results of the school safety needs assessment, the following shall be provided with a wearable panic alert device that shall communicate directly with public safety answering points: the lead teacher in each classroom and, beginning July 1, 2027, the school safety and security specialist, the school safety and security director, a school resource officer, a school guardian and an armed school security guard. Before the beginning of each school year, all school building personnel shall receive training on the protocol and appropriate use of the panic alert device.

Utah Code § 53G-8-701.5(2) (2026)

Utah Code § 53G-8-805(2), (3) (2026)

Law enforcement access to security cameras—

The District shall make all security cameras in school buildings accessible by a local law enforcement agency and public safety answering points, shall coordinate with the local law enforcement agency to establish appropriate access protocols, and shall physically mark all hallways and doorways consistent with the incident response method or system the state security chief creates.

Utah Code § 53G-8-805(4) (2026)

School visitor management protocols—

A “controlled access point” is a designated entry point to a school building that school personnel or electronic surveillance monitors during school hours and which requires visitors to follow check-in procedures before accessing the school building interior.

“School hours” means the period during which students are present in the school building for instructional purposes.

A “visitor” is any individual who is not a current student or employee of the school, including parents, contractors and service providers, volunteers; and guests.

A “visitor management system” is a process or technology used to track, monitor, and manage visitors entering school facilities.

The District may establish visitor management protocols for schools in the District. If established, such protocols must provide for:

  1. designated controlled access points that require all visitors to:
    1. enter the school building through a main entrance or other designated entry point during school hours;
    2. report immediately to a central office or reception area before accessing other areas of the school building; and
    3. present valid government-issued identification or other acceptable identification the District may determine in its policy;
  2. a visitor sign-in and sign-out process that records at minimum:
    1. the visitor’s name;
    2. the date and time of entry and exit;
    3. the purpose of the visit; and
    4. the specific location or individual the visitor intends to visit;
  3. procedures for:
    1. issuing visible identification, including a visitor badge or pass, that visitors must display prominently while on school grounds; and
    2. distinguishing between different types of visitors, such as parents, volunteers, contractors, and other guests;
  4. protocols for monitoring and supervising visitors while on school grounds, including:
    1. requiring school personnel to accompany visitors when visitors access areas where students are present, except as District policy otherwise provides for parents or authorized volunteers;
    2. prohibiting visitor access to restricted areas; and
    3. procedures school personnel shall follow to challenge or question any individual without visible identification;
  5. procedures for responding to visitors who:
    1. refuse to comply with visitor management protocols;
    2. pose a potential threat to school safety; or
    3. the District or school denies entry to the school;
  6. clear signage at all school building entrances that:
    1. directs visitors to the designated controlled access point;
    2. notifies visitors of the requirement to check in and obtain authorization before entering; and
    3. states that the District prohibits unauthorized entry and that unauthorized entry may result in criminal prosecution under Utah Code § 76-6-206; and
  7. annual training for school personnel on:
    1. implementing and enforcing visitor management protocols;
    2. identifying and responding to unauthorized individuals on school grounds; and
    3. communication procedures with the school safety and security specialist or school safety and security director described in this policy.

A visitor management protocol established by the District shall provide reasonable accommodations in visitor management procedures for individuals with disabilities in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. Sec. 12101 et seq.

The District may establish reasonable exceptions to the visitor management requirements of a visitor management protocol for:

  1. emergency situations requiring immediate access to the school building;
  2. law enforcement officers, firefighters, or emergency medical personnel responding to an emergency;
  3. volunteers or employees of an educational foundation who have successfully completed a background check and ongoing monitoring as required in Policy DAC;
  4. brief visits to exterior areas of the school campus that do not require entry into school buildings;
  5. school-sponsored events held during regular school hours with larger than normal numbers of visitors on the school campus; and
  6. school-sponsored public events held outside of regular school hours.

The District may also implement an electronic visitor management system that includes capabilities such as automated identification verification, integration with sex offender registry databases, digital badge printing, automated visitor tracking and reporting and emergency notification capabilities. If the District implements an electronic visitor management system, the District shall maintain visitor data in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 2, Government Records Access and Management Act, shall protect personally identifiable information and use such information solely for school safety purposes, and shall notify visitors of data collection practices in accordance with applicable privacy laws.

If the District has established any visitor management protocols, the school safety needs assessment conducted under this policy shall include information about the protocols, including but not limited to an evaluation of the adequacy of current visitor management protocols, physical infrastructure supporting controlled access, including entry vestibules, secure reception areas, and electronic access control systems, and recommendations for improvements to visitor management protocols and infrastructure.

Utah Code § 53G-8-806 (2026)

Prevention and Intervention—

The District shall provide schools with curriculum materials regarding comprehensive violence prevention and intervention strategies such as resource lessons and materials on anger management, conflict resolution, and respect for diversity and other cultures. In so doing, the District shall make use of materials and resources provided by the State Board of Education. Schools may also provide age-appropriate instruction on firearm safety, including appropriate steps to take if a student sees a firearm or facsimile firearm at school.

Utah Admin. Rules R277-400-9(5), (6) (November 7, 2025)

To the extent resources permit, the District shall also develop or incorporate tiered student assistance programs. In developing student assistance programs, the District may coordinate with the State Superintendent and other state agencies.

Utah Admin. Rules R277-400-9(3), (7) (November 7, 2025)

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