By Adriana Lisa
The Massapequa Board of Education recently proposed a new threat assessment policy for the district. Now, a behavioral threat assessment team, also known as the “BTA Team,” will help district officials monitor and address students who might pose a danger to teachers, staff members and their peers.
The policy is intended to keep members of the Massapequa school community aware of and responsive to possible threats. The New York State Education Department does not require threat assessment teams, but it does encourage use of them. The district has long had a threat assessment policy. The assessment team adds a new layer to it.
Dr. Jordan McCaw, assistant superintendent for pupil personnel services, said, “In the area of school threats, cameras are great, armed guards are great, security structures are great, but when it comes to behavioral threat assessment, all the research from the FBI, Secret Service and anyone who’s conducted research say the importance of a threat assessment team is probably the most critical resource in preventing any sort of mass violence.”
One purpose of the threat assessment team is to give students who have exhibited threatening behaviors the support they need.
In reporting a threat, faculty, staff and students must approach the school administration, even if they are unsure a student is exhibiting threatening behaviors. Once a threat is reported, the administration will turn over the report to the threat assessment team to begin their research.
The team will begin by reviewing a potentially threatening behavior, conducting interviews and examining the student’s confidential records. The team then must decide how serious a threat a student might pose and what the appropriate response might be. The team’s findings must then be reported to the district superintendent and the student’s school principal.
Board Trustee Danielle Ocuto noted the policy does not specify who will serve on the team. “I would hope,” she said, “that you’re keeping it fluid so that we could kind of staff it when needed with individuals that might know a specific student and their circumstances, their personality, their triggers, just to get a better picture of that student and how far along they are on the path of threat.”
McCaw explained team members will serve for two years. The superintendent has the authority to appoint them. The team will be multidisciplinary and comprise principals, psychologists, social workers, teachers and law enforcement.
“If you’re a psychologist in a building and refer a student, you’ll be a visiting member of the next meeting,” McCaw said. “There are always representatives there who know the student, so we’re not just looking at records. We also want to get the full picture.”
One of the team’s goals is to raise awareness of its work within the community.
“We have to be well educated and prepared for real-world emergencies and the different safety concerns that our children are exposed to while in school,” said Mary Lofrumento, a Massapequa parent.
“I’m happy to see this and hope the students and staff see this as a positive change, too,” Lofrumento added.
All information about the BTA team will be accessible through the Massapequa district website.
