Brooks County ISD operates under a comprehensive Emergency Operations Plan fully approved by the Texas School Safety Center. In partnership with our Safety and Security Committee and the BCISD Board of Trustees, we continuously evaluate and upgrade our security measures to ensure a safe learning environment.

Campus Security Measures

• Controlled Access: All campus exterior doors remain locked at all times. To ensure absolute compliance, all school employees are required to review and sign the District Access Control Policy.

• Surveillance & Monitoring: Every campus is equipped with real-time security cameras and advanced electronic access controls, including secure vestibules, doors, and gates.

Visitor Protocols To maintain a secure environment, all visitors must undergo our Raptor visitor management screening protocol before entering any campus building. Once cleared, visitors will be issued a pass that must be worn throughout the visit and returned to the front office upon departure.

This annex (Active Threat Annex) establishes the policies and procedures under which the district will operate in the event of an Active Threat incident by addressing planning and operational actions for the five phases of emergency management (prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery). This annex is meant to address district planning for an Active Threat incident and applies to the whole district community and all district property.

Purpose:

This Active Shooter Appendix is being written to direct the specific district tasks necessary before, during, and after an active shooter incident. For the purposes of this appendix, the term active shooter is defined as any attempt to kill or seriously injure people in a populated area. This appendix is intended to serve as the Brooks County ISD’s active shooter policy, in accordance with Texas Education Code 37.108.

Scope:

This document applies to the whole district community, including first responder agencies. All district staff, including substitute teachers, who are assigned emergency management roles and responsibilities should receive training in and have access to all district emergency plans. External stakeholders likely to respond to an active shooter incident should also review this appendix for compatibility with their operations and resources.

• All BCISD schools follow the District’s Emergency Operations Plan that addresses all types of threats including weather emergencies, utility outages, fire, earthquakes, active shooters, etc. The plans are referenced and used during emergency drills and evacuations. All plans are updated annually in cooperation with the District’s Safety and Security Committee and are approved by the Board of Trustees. 

• All District campuses and facilities use the Standard Response Protocol (SRP Link) to prepare for emergencies. Staff and students are trained annually and are equipped to implement procedures immediately. District handbooks and the BCISD Website include information on student safety for students, parents and resources. 

• Emergency drills are conducted on an ongoing basis at all school sites with students and staff for different situations such as tornados, intruders, fires, and active shooters. All school and the District Offices are required to schedule and implement periodic drills and submit documentation to the Superintendent of Schools. The District aims to have staff and students trained sufficiently so that they can implement these drills without hesitancy. 

• Active shooter drills are also scheduled and will be held periodically in the same format as all other drills. These drills will be held in conjunction with local law enforcement. The school community will be informed when active shooter drills are held.  

• Parents can discuss school safety with their children. BCISD wants students to feel safe and comfortable in school knowing that emergency plans and drill are implemented to protect all students and staff. Students should be prepared and not scared when drills are practiced and when emergency plans are discussed. 

• Parents should stay engaged and talk with their children. Know who their friends are and where they are spending time. Do not ignore negative changes in behavior. Reach out for assistance, if needed.

• Stay in touch with children’s digital practices. Be aware of online activity  and social media platforms.

• “If you see something, say something” Parents should speak with their children about reporting suspicious activity or threats to the proper authorities. Students and parents should feel comfortable sharing that information with a teacher, counselor, school administrator, another staff member, or campus security personnel. The BCISD website can be used to report suspicious activity anonymously. 

• If the safety of another person is in jeopardy, students should know the importance of immediately reporting that information. REPORT THREATS IMMEDIATELY!

• If you receive information after-hours about a potential threat and are unable to reach anyone at the school, please contact local law enforcement. Do not wait until the next day. Remember, threats or other emergency information should never be reported only through email.

• If you observe a safety concern on your child’s campus, please report it to a school administrator.

• Verify and/or update your contact information (phone and email) through the school office.

The Standard Response Protocol - K12

Operational Guidance V4.1 - Guidance for schools, districts, departments, and agencies. This is a general guide on incorporating and operating the Standard Response Protocol within a school safety plan.

SRP PK-2 V2 Curriculum - This workbook has been produced to help preschool and elementary teachers guide students through the process of learning how to stay safe by engaging in fun activities.

SRP K12 Parent Handout - An introduction to the SRP that gives parents the basics in a single handout.

SRP K12 Folleto para Padres - Una introducción al SRP que brinda a los padres los conceptos básicos en un solo folleto.

Student Recognition Training Materials

Harmful, Threatening, or Violent Behaviors (Safety Standard 3.06)

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1. Training Overview

Brooks County ISD is committed to maintaining safe and supportive learning environments. All employees must be able to recognize, report, and respond to student behaviors that may indicate risk of harm to self or others. This training fulfills requirements of Texas Education Code 37.115, SB 11, and the Texas School Safety Center Standard 3.06.

Audience: All district employees, substitutes, volunteers

Frequency: Annually

Delivery: In-person or online module with sign-in acknowledgment

Coordinated With: BCISD Behavioral Threat Assessment Team (BTAT), Campus Administration, Counseling, and Local Law Enforcement

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2. Learning Objectives

By the end of this training, staff will be able to:

1. Identify early warning signs of harmful, threatening, or violent behavior

2. Distinguish between transient conflicts and credible threats

3. Follow BCISD reporting procedures without delay

4. Preserve student dignity while ensuring safety

5. Understand the role of the Behavioral Threat Assessment Team

6. Use de-escalation and trauma-informed practices

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3. Key Definitions

Threat – Communication or behavior that indicates intent to harm a person, group, or property.

Imminent Threat – A situation requiring immediate law enforcement response (weapon present, specific plan, time, and target).

Leakage – When a student reveals violent intent through social media, writing, conversations, or drawings.

Behavioral Threat Assessment Team (BTAT) – Multidisciplinary team that evaluates risk and develops intervention plans.

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4. Warning Signs & Risk Indicators

A. Verbal Indicators

• Statements about wanting to hurt or kill

• Fixation on previous school violence

• Threats with specific targets, dates, or methods

• Hopelessness or revenge language

B. Behavioral Indicators

• Sudden aggression or loss of control

• Bringing prohibited items

• Animal cruelty or fire-setting

• Drastic changes in appearance or isolation

• Bullying others or being severely bullied

C. Digital Indicators

• Social media posts with threats or weapons

• Searches about school attacks

• Sharing violent manifestos or imagery

D. Emotional Indicators

• Extreme anger, humiliation, or despair

• Grievance-collecting

• Recent trauma, loss, or discipline crisis

One sign alone does not equal intent. Patterns and context matter.

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5. BCISD Reporting Protocol

STEP 1 – IMMEDIATE SAFETY FIRST

• If there is immediate danger, call 911 and notify campus administration.

STEP 2 – REPORT THE CONCERN

Employees must report the same day to:

1. Campus Principal or Designee

2. School Counselor

3. Submit report through:

   • BCISD SafeSchools Alert

   • Campus office written statement

STEP 3 – BTAT REVIEW

• Administrator convenes BTAT

• Information gathered: interviews, social media, discipline, special education considerations

• Determine level of risk and interventions

STEP 4 – ACTIONS MAY INCLUDE

• Parent notification

• Counseling referral

• Safety plan

• Schedule change

• Law enforcement involvement

• Special education/504 review

Employees must not promise confidentiality when safety is at risk.

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6. Staff Response Expectations

Do:

• Take every threat seriously

• Listen without judgment

• Document exact words

• Maintain supervision

• Follow chain of command

Do NOT:

• Investigate alone

• Ignore “jokes” about violence

• Promise secrecy

• Send the student home without administrator direction

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7. De-Escalation Basics

• Use calm, neutral tone

• Offer choices

• Reduce audience

• Avoid power struggles

• Keep safe distance

• Call for support early

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8. Scenario Practice

Scenario 1

A student writes in a journal, “Everyone will be sorry tomorrow.”

Correct Action

• Secure the writing

• Notify administrator immediately

• Do not send student back to class without direction

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Scenario 2

Another student shows you a Snapchat of a classmate holding a gun with caption “Monday will be lit.”

Correct Action

• Treat as imminent threat

• Call administrator and SRO

• Preserve evidence (do not forward widely)

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9. Documentation Requirements

Reports should include:

• Date/time/location

• Exact statements (quotes)

• Witnesses

• Screenshots if applicable

• Staff actions taken

• Student demeanor

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10. Confidentiality & FERPA

• Share information with those who have a legitimate educational interest

• Safety concerns allow necessary disclosure to protect students