Overview
A School Safety and Security Specialist is a school employee (e.g., teacher, school counselor, school social worker, school psychologist) responsible for supporting school safety initiatives, including behavioral threat assessment. Every public primary and secondary school in Utah shall designate a School Safety and Security Specialist per Utah Code Section 53G-8-701.5.
2025 - 2026 Required Trainings
School Safety and Security Specialists are required to attend (or watch the recording of) all annual School Safety Center trainings. The trainings will be hosted via Zoom and the dates are as follows:
- School Safety and Security Specialists Onboarding (YouTube)
- School Safety and Security Specialists Onboarding Training
- New specialists are required to view the 30-minute onboarding video before the first training date.
- Returning specialists are welcome to watch if they would like, but are not required.
- Wednesday, October 29, 2025 | 2:30 - 3:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, January 21, 2026 | 2:30 - 3:30 p.m. - School Safety and Security Specialist Training #2
- Wednesday, April 8, 2026 | 2:30 - 3:30 p.m. - School Safety and Security Specialist
Training #3
School Safety and Security Specialists received a course invitation via email to join the FY26 School Safety and Security Specialist Canvas course. Specialists should navigate to the course to find training recordings, resources, and required follow-up tasks post-training.
The recording of each training will also be posted on our YouTube playlist as they become available.
2025 - 2026 Forms
FY26 Update LEA and School Safety and Security Personnel Designation Form (Qualtrics)
Utah law requires every K-12 public Local Education Agency (LEA) to designate a School
Safety and Security Director, and every K-12 public school to designate a School Safety
and Security Specialist. This form will be used for both.
Access Request for FY26 School Safety Listservs Form (Qualtrics)
This form may be used to request subscription to listservs that share information
with School Safety and Security Specialists and LEA School Safety and Security Directors regarding upcoming professional learning for those positions, resources, and other
school safety related updates. It may also request subscription for the school safety
newsletter distribution list.
Student Services Training Request Portal (TRP)
The Utah State Board of Education (USBE) Student Services Training Request Portal (TRP) is an online tool for Local Education Agencies (LEAs) to request specific Professional Learning (PL) and Technical Assistance (TA) support from the USBE. The information submitted is used to help coordinate PL and TA across the state to ensure that LEA needs are addressed and met in an efficient manner.
Contact Information
General Questions: schoolsafetyprograms@schools.utah.gov
Rhett Larsen
School Safety Center Coordinator
Phone: (801) 538-7997
Ashley Pistello
School Safety Center Specialist
Phone: (801) 538-7728
Melissa Muhlestein
Executive Secretary
Phone: (385) 295-7931