Kingsport reports zero threat-assessment incidents in first quarterly report under policy 3.204

The Kingsport City Schools Board of Education on Oct. 14 accepted the district’s first quarterly threat-assessment report required by board policy 3.204 and state law. Superintendent (presenter) told the board the report showed zero incidents this quarter that met the criteria for family notification or outside law-enforcement involvement.

Superintendent (presenter) asked Mr. Nash (threat assessment staff) to explain the district’s process. Nash described a state model the district uses that classifies threats on a 1-to-4 scale, with 1 the most significant and 4 the least. Nash said the district’s threat assessment team—administrators, school resource officers (SROs) and trained staff—conducts a detailed review when potential threats arise. "When a threat does occur, particularly a threat of potentially mass violence against the school, immediately the school is gonna take action involving the admin and the SRO and their threat assessment team," Nash said.

Nash emphasized the team looks beyond the single incident to the student’s broader history and context. He said some lower-level incidents that are not credible still prompt staff action and parent communication; in other cases administrators and SROs might visit a family to discuss concerns. Nash noted the difference between an SRO and "outside law enforcement," saying an SRO would not be considered outside law enforcement for purposes of the policy’s reporting threshold.

The board voted to accept the quarterly report. Superintendent (presenter) said the district will continue to bring the same formatted report to the board each quarter.