The School Safety Center provides resources to districts and schools to help in the development of high-quality emergency operations and safety plans. Feeling safe is fundamental for a positive school climate and learning environment. RCW 28A.320.125 requires all public school districts and public schools to have current school safety plans and procedures in place.

The School Safety Center is a component of Student Support and works in close collaboration with System and School Improvement, and other departments within OSPI. In addition, regularly scheduled meetings of the School Safety and Student Well-Being Advisory Committee complement our commitment to keeping all students safe at school each and every day.

Comprehensive Safety Planning Toolkit

The Washington State Legislature considers it to be a matter of public safety for public schools and staff to have current safe school plans and procedures in place, fully consistent with federal law. These comprehensive safe school plans are also often referred to as Emergency Operations Plans (EOPs). RCW 28A.320.125 contains further information on safe school plans requirements and duties of school districts surrounding reports, drills, rules, and first responder agencies.

Comprehensive School Safety Coordinators

Under HB 1216, the ESD Regional School Safety Centers (RSSCs) were established. One of the roles within the RSSC is the Comprehensive School Safety Coordinator (CSSC). The functions of the CSSC include coordinating other entities in the region to provide support to school districts before emergencies occur. This includes comprehensive safe school planning under RCW 28A.320.125.

Harassment, Intimidation, & Bullying (HIB) 

Every school district shall designate one person in the district as the primary contact regarding the anti-harassment, intimidation, and bullying (HIB) policy. The district superintendent will appoint a compliance officer as the primary district contact to receive copies of all formal and informal complaints and ensure policy implementation. Explore the HIB compliance officer contact list, HIB toolkit, and more. 

School-Based Threat Assessment

Under HB 1216 and RCW 28A.320.123, all LEAs are required to have School-Based Threat Assessment Programs and teams in place by the 2020/2021 school year. The School-Based Threat Assessment Programs website and Bulletin B018-20 outline requirements for LEAs and the assistance available through the 9 Educations Service Districts and OSPI.

School Safety & Security Staff

• Second Substitute House Bill 1216 (2019–20) Session Law created requirements and definitions around an optional School Resource Officer (SRO) Program. The Program was codified into state law as RCW 28A.320.124.
• Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1214 (2021–22) Session Law expanded and clarified the previous legislation to include all school safety and security staff personnel. Thus, the name of the SRO Program has been expanded to the School Safety and Security Staff Program.

School Safety and Student Well-Being Advisory Committee (SS-SWAC)

The purpose of School Safety and Student Well-Being Advisory Committee (SS-SWAC) is to advise the superintendent, the office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction’s School Safety Center, the Regional Safety Centers, school districts, and public and private schools on all matters related to comprehensive school safety and student well-being. 

School Health & Safety Related RCWs & WACs

A list of Washington state laws that apply to K-12 public school safety and security.