The Garrett County Board of Education is both mandated and committed to the goal of providing a safe, orderly, and drug-free environment in all schools and for all students.  Gang activity and similar destructive or illegal group behavior on school property or school buses or at school-sponsored functions jeopardizes the efforts of the Garrett County Board of Education and its schools in meeting this goal.  When these behaviors occur, students are placed at risk of experiencing concerns in the areas of education, health, and safety.  In addition, these behaviors impact all students by disrupting the learning environment of the school. 

    Therefore, it is the policy of the Garrett County Board of Education to prohibit gang activity and similar destructive or illegal group behavior on school property or school buses or at school-sponsored functions.  Further, this policy prohibits reprisal or retaliation against individuals who report gang activity and similar destructive or illegal group behavior or who are victims, witnesses, bystanders, or others with reliable information about an action of gang activity and similar destructive or illegal group behavior.

    The Garrett County Board of Education and its schools will support programs and efforts to address gang activity and similar destructive or illegal group behavior on school property or school buses, or at school-sponsored functions.  Each school shall provide annual training that addresses prevention and intervention resources with school staff and teachers (first level responders) and shall provide training in the implementation of the policy and procedures for teachers and administrators.  The program will include procedures for reporting, investigation, intervention/remediation, responses and consequences, and support services to students and their families “at risk” for and/or suspected of participating in gang activities as appropriate based on factors that include developmental differences of age, maturity, and disabilities, and the context, situation, and severity of behavior.

    Reports of gang activity and similar destructive or illegal group behavior on school property or school buses or at school-sponsored functions may be made through the use of the Maryland State Department of Education Gang-Related Incident Reporting Form in accordance with the Safe School Reporting Act of 2010.  The report is made to the School Principal for investigation and subsequent action, who will complete the Gang-Related Incident Reporting Form if one has not already been completed by the individual making the report, and the Gang-Related Incident Investigation Form.

Definitions

            As used in this policy, the following definitions of “gang” and “gang activity” will apply:

Gang -  “Criminal gang” means a group or association of three or more persons whose members:

            (1)      individually or collectively engage in a pattern of criminal activity;