17 incidents of intimidation and written threats are reported to Roanoke County Public Schools

Roanoke, Virginia – Virginia public schools are required to submit a report on student behavior, known as the Student Behavior and Administrative Response, to the state’s Department of Education annually. As your go-to source for back-to-school information, 10 News is dissecting the Roanoke County Public Schools report.

While data from the previous year is still being compiled by the Virginia Department of Education, we provided information for the 2022–2023 school year.

There was a situation at Hidden Valley High where a student planned to distribute or sell drugs, falling into one of the more serious categories that call for police action.

The Behaviors that Endanger Self or Others category is another one. Seventeen allegations of written threats, intimidation, or inciting violence, as well as injury or harm to another student, were filed under this one. Unless the student posing the threat had a disability, law enforcement was only called in cases where the threat was directed toward a staff member. William Byrd Middle, Cave Spring High, Glenvar Middle, and Hidden Valley High were a few of the schools where they occurred.

There were two incidents of bomb threats at William Byrd High that were recorded under the same category. When this occurred, the school division phoned the police. In the meanwhile, 23 staff members and 73 non-written threats were made. Nine incidences of violence and assault were also reported.

Within the Behaviors of a Safety Concern area of the Student Behavior and Administrative Response report, Roanoke County had 233 instances of students possessing, utilizing, or sharing tobacco products or accessories, E-cigarettes, or vaping supplies. 227 incidents of pushing, shoving, biting, or striking were reported to the division, while 102 incidents involved students leaving school property without authorization.

According to 10 News, the principals of Roanoke County Public Schools provide this information to the state Department of Education on a yearly basis. Additionally, it stated that a variety of intervention techniques are used to treat behavioral problems in pupils. Systems to keep an eye on all school-issued electronics are among the intervention techniques. Students’ lives have been saved by this. Additionally, Roanoke County put vape detectors in the locker rooms and bathrooms of its high schools.