School Safety

We proactively collaborate with local law enforcement and appropriate agencies. When safety concerns arise, we continue this partnership to assess situations, respond thoughtfully, and communicate with families when needed—always with the goal of keeping students safe while minimizing unnecessary fear or disruption.

Our work is guided by a District Safety Committee made up of administration, staff, school mental health experts, local law enforcement, and other community partners. We value and rely on ongoing input from students, staff, and our community to help us understand what is working well and where we can continue to strengthen our approach to safety. During the 2024-2025 school year, we collaborated with Homeland Security, our Safety Review Task Force, and community leaders to review our priorities and further incorporate physical safety in our schools. In 2025-2027, we leveraged grants and donated funds toward safety efforts identified by these collaborations.

The district uses nationally recognized, all-hazards safety frameworks and provides regular training and age-appropriate drills for students and staff. Our buildings are equipped with modern safety features, and we emphasize prevention, preparedness, and communication in everything we do. This video showcases the recent work of the Safety Review Task Force alongside partnerships with Homeland Security, our Mount Horeb Police Department, and the community, which continues to inform our practices.

We know families want reassurance, not alarm. Please know that safety planning is ongoing, collaborative, and taken seriously, and we remain committed to continuously improving how we support the well-being of our school community. We utilize Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management (BTAM), which is an evidence-based, proactive process used to identify, assess, and manage individuals exhibiting concerning behaviors that may indicate a risk of targeted violence. It uses multidisciplinary teams—law enforcement, schools, HR, mental health—to intervene early, support at-risk people, prevent escalation, and provide additional wrap-around support plans.

Keeping families informed is an important part of school safety. When a situation impacts students, we consider whether to communicate with families by working closely with local law enforcement and emergency partners. Communication regarding safety updates will be shared via official District sources, including email. Not every situation requires a message, but when communication is needed, our goal is to share accurate information without causing unnecessary concern. Our decisions are guided by established protocols and a commitment to student well-being.

Please review our Health Services page for more information.