This page addresses gang prevention policies

This document addresses gang prevention policies

(1) This rule is authorized by:

• (a) Utah Constitution Article X, Section 3, which vests general control and supervision over public education in the Board;
• (b) Subsection 53E-3-401(4), which allows the Board to make rules to execute the Board's duties and responsibilities under the Utah Constitution and state law; and
• (c) Subsection 53F-2-410(1)(b), which appropriates funds to be used for Gang Prevention and Intervention Programs in the schools.

(2) The purpose of this rule is to establish Standard and procedures for distributing funding for gang prevention and intervention programs in public schools.

(3)

• (a) "Gang prevention" means instructional and support strategies, activities, programs, or curricula designed and implemented to provide successful experiences for youth and families.
• (b) Gang prevention activities shall promote cultural and social competence, self-management skills, citizenship, preparation for life skills, academic achievement, literacy, and interpersonal relationship skills required for school completion and full participation in society.

(4) "Gang intervention" means specially designed services required by an individual student experiencing difficulty in cultural and social competence, self-management skills, citizenship, preparation for life skills, academic achievement, literacy, and interpersonal relationships, within or outside of the school, which may impact the individual's susceptibility to gang membership or gang-like activities.

(4) "Gang Prevention and Intervention Program" means specifically designed projects and activities to help at-risk students stay in school and enhance their cultural and social competence, self-management skills, citizenship, preparation for life skills, academic achievement, literacy, and interpersonal relationship skills required for school completion and full participation in society.

(1) An LEA may apply for gang intervention funds by submitting a proposal on a form approved by the Superintendent.

• (a) An school district may submit:
• (i) a proposal for a single school; or
• (ii) a single district-wide proposal.
• (b) A charter school may apply individually or jointly with other charter schools.

(2) A proposal submitted in accordance with Subsection (1) shall:

• (a) provide for distribution of funds to individuals schools;
• (b) explain prevention and intervention activities and strategies planned for individual schools;
• (c) identify the school's at-risk student population and demonstrate how the prevention and intervention strategies will benefit at-risk students; and
• (d) demonstrate interagency collaboration between the LEA and other service providers.

(3) The Superintendent shall award gang intervention funds based on proposals submitted in accordance with Subsection (1), and subject to the annual legislative appropriation.

(4) The Superintendent shall give priority in awarding funds to:

• (a) schools that demonstrate multiple risk factors for gang involvement; and
• (b) schools with outcome data that show successful reduction of gang involvement.

(5) The Superintendent shall notify successful applicants of their awards by July 1 annually.

(6) An LEA or charter consortia may use up to ten percent of its funding awarded in accordance with this rule for:

• (a) administrative oversight;
• (b) professional development for licensed and non-licensed employees who directly in gang prevention or intervention activities; and
• (c) professional and technical services.

(1) This rule is authorized by:

• (d) Section 53E-3-509, which requires the Board to adopt rules that require a local school board or governing board of a charter school to enact gang prevention and intervention policies for all schools within the board's jurisdiction.

(1) An LEA or school shall develop and implement a board approved comprehensive LEA plan or policy for student and classroom management, and school discipline. (2) An LEA shall include administration, instruction and support staff, students, parents, community council, and other community members in policy development, training, and prevention implementation so as to create a community sense of participation, ownership, support, and responsibility. (3) A plan described in Subsection (1) shall include:

• (t) gang prevention and intervention policies in accordance with Subsection 53E-3-509(1);

(1) (a) The state board shall adopt rules that require a local school board or charter school governing board to enact gang prevention and intervention policies for all schools within the state board's jurisdiction.

• (b) The rules described in Subsection (1)(a) shall provide that the gang prevention and intervention policies of a local school board or charter school governing board may include provisions that reflect the individual school district's or charter school's unique needs or circumstances.

(2) The rules described in Subsection (1) may include the following provisions:

• (a) school faculty and personnel shall report suspected gang activities relating to the school and its students to a school administrator and law enforcement;
• (b) a student who participates in gang activities may be excluded from participation in extracurricular activities, including interscholastic athletics, as determined by the school administration after consultation with law enforcement;
• (c) gang-related graffiti or damage to school property shall result in parent notification and appropriate administrative and law enforcement actions, which may include obtaining restitution from those responsible for the damage;
• (d) if a serious gang-related incident, as determined by the school administrator in consultation with local law enforcement, occurs on school property, at school related activities, or on a site that is normally considered to be under school control, notification shall be provided to parents of students in the school:
• (i) informing them, in general terms, about the incident, but removing all personally identifiable information about students from the notice;
• (ii) emphasizing the school's concern for safety; and
• (iii) outlining the action taken at the school regarding the incident;
• (e) school faculty and personnel shall be trained by experienced evidence based trainers that may include community gang specialists and law enforcement as part of comprehensive strategies to recognize early warning signs for youth in trouble and help students resist serious involvement in undesirable activity, including joining gangs or mimicking gang behavior;
• (f) prohibitions on the following behavior:
• (i) advocating or promoting a gang or any gang-related activities;
• (ii) marking school property, books, or school work with gang names, slogans, or signs;
• (iii) conducting gang initiations;
• (iv) threatening another person with bodily injury or inflicting bodily injury on another in connection with a gang or gang-related activity;
• (v) aiding or abetting an activity described under Subsections (2)(f)(i) through (iv) by a person's presence or support;
• (vi) displaying or wearing common gang apparel, common dress, or identifying signs or symbols on one's clothing, person, or personal property that is disruptive to the school environment; and
• (vii) communicating in any method, including verbal, non-verbal, and electronic means, designed to convey gang membership or affiliation.

(1)

• (a) Subject to Subsection (1)(b), the state board shall distribute money appropriated for the Enhancement for At-Risk Students Program to school districts and charter schools according to a formula adopted by the state board, after consultation with LEA governing boards.
• (b)
• (i) The state board shall allocate 4% of the appropriation for Enhancement for At-Risk Students Program for a gang prevention and intervention program designed to help students at risk for gang involvement stay in school.
• (ii) Money for the gang prevention and intervention program shall be distributed to school districts and charter schools through a request for proposals process.

(1) The conduct and discipline policies required under Section 53G-8-202 shall include:

• (g) specific provisions, consistent with Section 53E-3-509, for preventing and responding to gang-related activities in the school, on school grounds, on school vehicles, or in connection with school-related activities or events;