Vermont Agency of Education faces scrutiny over behavioral threat assessment model policy

The Vermont Senate Education Committee convened on April 10, 2025, to discuss critical updates regarding educational policies and timelines, particularly focusing on the implementation of behavioral threat assessment teams in schools. The meeting highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by the Agency of Education (AOE) in meeting legislative deadlines and the concerns raised by various school boards regarding the clarity and usability of the model policy.

The discussion began with an overview of House Bill 480, which, unlike previous drafts, does not extend the timeline for any requirements except for data reporting. The committee reviewed Section 5 of Act 29, which mandates the AOE to create a model policy for behavioral threat assessment teams. According to the law, a draft model policy was to be issued for public comment by November 1, 2023, with a final version to be posted by December 15, 2023. However, as of the meeting date, no model procedures were available, although updates indicated that they should be expected within six weeks.

Concerns were raised by the Vermont School Boards Association (VSBA), which reported that several schools expressed interest in adopting the model policy but found it difficult to implement due to its complexity. The AOE's model policy was criticized for being unclear, as it contained extensive commentary that obscured the actual obligations of school districts. The VSBA emphasized the urgency of having a finalized model policy available soon, given the approaching deadline of July 1, 2025, for school board adoption.

The committee also addressed the need for the model policy to align with best practices as outlined by the Vermont School Safety Center. It was noted that the current model policy does not adequately incorporate essential components, such as the inclusion of a core team consisting of school administrators and mental health professionals, which is vital for effective threat assessment.

In conclusion, the committee expressed hope for collaboration with the AOE to develop a more understandable and actionable model policy. The urgency of the situation was underscored by the impending deadlines, with the VSBA requesting an extension to allow for proper implementation. The meeting concluded with a commitment to expedite the necessary updates and ensure compliance with established best practices in school safety.