Florida Gov. Rick Scott is outlining next steps for school districts, following his signing this month of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Safety Act.
He sent a timeline to all Florida superintendents.
With Scott’s signature, $400 million is going toward mental health services and making schools safer. Almost a fourth is earmarked for metal detectors, bulletproof glass and other security features.
By August, districts along with police must complete security-risk assessments. Scott said state money for improvements will be dispersed as quickly as possible, but districts should make any critical improvements immediately.
Also by this summer, superintendents must designate school-safety specialists for their districts, as well as determine how many employees, if any, they’d like to train to carry guns, which is voluntary.
Duval’s school board came out against this measure, known as the Coach Aaron Feis Guardian Program, while the legislature debated it.
By the beginning of next school year, all schools must have at least one school safety officer. The state is providing $97.5 million to help with hiring.
By August 1, districts must submit plans to the state for how every student will have access to mental health professionals. The access must be available by the beginning of next school year.
During the fall of next year, each school should have in place a threat assessment team to meet monthly and review any potential threats. That team is required to have expertise in mental health counseling, academic instruction, police and school administration.
Meanwhile, the Department of Education will oversee active-shooter training in schools at least once per semester. It must also hire a director for its newly created Office of Safe Schools.
Lindsey Kilbride can be reached at lkilbride@wjct.org, 904-358-6359 or on Twitter at @lindskilbride.
