Rockport committee hears update on safety teams, emergency operations plan and regional threat-assessment training

Superintendent Mark Branko told the Rockport School Committee on Sept. 18 that the district has organized a three-tiered approach to school safety: a district emergency response team (DIRTT) that includes the chief of police and town administrator, a behavioral threat assessment and management team (BTAM) of about 20 staff, and a confidential school emergency operations plan (CIOP). “We have what’s called, affectionately, DIRTT,” Branko said, describing regular meetings and planning exercises that include the chief and school leaders.

Branko described BTAM as a broader group — assistant principals, deans, counselors, psychologists and BCBAs — that runs scenario-based tabletop exercises and professional development. He thanked regional partners and noted that an FBI special agent, Sarah Wheeldon, presented a case-study on targeted violence at a recent regional BTAM meeting. Branko said the CIOP is intentionally comprehensive and not a public document; staff will receive internal training on components relevant to their roles.

Committee members asked whether students understand safety planning and about the role of the SRO in threat assessments; Branko said the SRO participates in BTAM meetings but is not a regular DIRTT member and that regional BTAM gatherings are intended to cross-pollinate practices across nearby districts. Student representative Henry Park and others emphasized the importance of communicating safety work to students in developmentally appropriate ways. The committee heard that monthly DIRTT check-ins and regular BTAM meetings are central to the district’s operational approach to safety.