Beaufort County committee reviews new school-based threat-assessment regulation with required teams and training

The Beaufort County Board of Education academics committee on Feb. 25 reviewed a new administrative regulation, SS 62, that establishes procedures for school-based behavioral threat assessment and management districtwide.

The regulation spells out how districts must respond when staff report a concerning pattern of student behavior, who may serve on assessment teams, and what training is required. The proposal describes a two-tiered response: an initial “core” team and, if needed, a full protocol threat-assessment team.

According to Deputy Superintendent Dr. Lee and the student services presenters, the core team must include at least two members: an administrator and one school-based mental-health professional (school social worker, school counselor or school psychologist). If the core team determines a potentially imminent threat (for example, a specific threat involving a weapon), the regulation requires notifying the school resource officer and calling 911. When immediate danger has passed, the core team completes a threat screener; if uncertainty remains or the screener flags intent, a full…