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School district describes threat-assessment training and in-school peer support
Summary
Elko County School District said it has implemented comprehensive threat-assessment guidelines (CSTAG), built peer-support and Hope Squad programs in schools and scheduled staff SafeTALK training on Nov. 19 to improve early identification and response to threats and student mental-health needs.
Ken Higbee, director of special services for the Elko County School District, briefed the board on school mental‑health initiatives, including a peer-support wellness project with a designated representative in every school, the student-led Hope Squad and district training in Comprehensive School Threat Assessment Guidelines (CSTAG).
Higbee said the CSTAG curriculum helps school staff assess the seriousness of statements and behaviors, determine whether threats are transient and identify whether a student has access to means. He described a multi-disciplinary training program that included administrators, school psychologists, nurses, counselors, social workers, school-resource officers and transportation staff.
Higbee emphasized balancing individual protections with population safety and said the district's approach is designed to identify students at risk and tailor responses that can include suspension and law-enforcement involvement when warranted.
Board members praised the proactive approach and asked the district to continue updates; Higbee said the training has been well received and that the district will continue to refine threat-assessment processes.
