Threat Assessment and Management
Keeping students and staff safe requires both a strong response when concerns arise and systems that help identify and address concerns before they escalate. The Fairbanks North Star Borough School District’s Threat Assessment and Management Protocol provides schools and community partners with a consistent process for evaluating potential threats, responding to safety concerns, and connecting students with appropriate supports.
A Coordinated Community Approach
The protocol was developed through approximately a year of collaboration initiated by the Fairbanks District Attorney’s Office and involving the school district, Alaska State Troopers, and Division of Juvenile Justice. Together, the agencies worked to strengthen existing practices, establish clearer roles and expectations, and create a process that reflects the needs and resources of the Fairbanks community.
That collaboration is an important part of the protocol. Schools, families, law enforcement, juvenile justice, mental health professionals, and other partners may each have different responsibilities when a concern arises, but a shared framework helps ensure information is considered carefully and responses are coordinated.
Families as Partners
Families are an important part of the threat assessment process. Parents and guardians can provide information that helps teams better understand a situation and, when their child is involved, are important partners in developing effective interventions and safety plans.
When a student has been the target of a substantive threat, the protocol also establishes expectations for timely communication with the student and their parent or guardian and for sharing information directly related to their safety.
Because student records, juvenile proceedings, and law enforcement investigations may be confidential, the district may not always be able to share all details of an individual case. The district will share information necessary to address safety while following applicable privacy laws.
Read the Full Protocol
The complete protocol provides additional information about the school-based assessment process, law enforcement involvement, juvenile justice, the District Attorney’s Office, relevant School Board policies, and Alaska law.
Reporting a Safety Concern
Students, families, and staff are encouraged to report concerning statements or behavior to a school administrator as soon as possible.
If there is an immediate threat to life or safety, call 911.
Reporting a concern does not mean that a conclusion has already been reached about a student or situation. It allows trained staff to gather information, evaluate the circumstances, and determine what response or support may be appropriate.
Prevention and Early Support
Threat assessment is not simply a disciplinary or law enforcement process. Its primary purpose is to support safety through prevention and early intervention.
When a concerning statement or behavior is reported, school staff gather information and consider the circumstances surrounding the concern. The process helps teams distinguish between situations that can be resolved relatively quickly and those requiring additional assessment, intervention, safety planning, or involvement from community partners.
The protocol emphasizes:
- Safety for students, staff, and the broader school community.
- Prevention and early intervention before concerning behavior escalates.
- Collaboration among schools, families, law enforcement, and community partners.
- Support and restoration, including addressing underlying needs and helping students safely remain in or return to the school community when appropriate.
How the Process Works
Each school has a multidisciplinary Threat Assessment Team led by a school administrator and supported by staff such as counselors, psychologists, prevention staff, safety staff, or student support specialists. Other partners may be included depending on the circumstances.
The protocol establishes a five-step process for schools to:
- Receive and triage a report.
- Gather information and evaluate the concern.
- Take protective action when a threat is determined to be substantive.
- Conduct a more comprehensive safety evaluation for serious threats, including law enforcement involvement when appropriate.
- Develop, implement, and monitor a response and Student Support and Safety Plan when needed.
Responses are individualized. Depending on the circumstances, they may include safety measures, family involvement, counseling or other supports, disciplinary action, restorative approaches, increased supervision, law enforcement investigation, or ongoing monitoring.