Spring break for the students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School is approaching, and safety concerns remain a top priority according to Broward County School District officials.
In a letter sent to parents Wednesday, Superintendent Robert Runcie detailed a two-tiered safety approach for students to follow when they return from break.
“Over the past several weeks, we have received many inquiries regarding the District’s efforts to fortify school campuses and enhance safety protocols. We want to assure you that the safety and security of our students and employees remain our highest priorities,” Runcie said in the letter to Stoneman Douglas parents.
The students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School will have to wear clear backpacks, provided by the school district when they return to classes April 2, and are required to wear a special identification badge at all times while on the high school’s campus.
The superintendent said there will be a designated “Single Point of Entry” at each school in the Broward County School district, and discussions of installing permanent metal detectors will continue.
Classrooms at each school are to remain locked throughout the day, as well as every point of entry on campus.
The letter said each school will be provided with a minimum of one school resource officer per school with the approval of Senate Bill 7026. Broward County School District will be provided $8.5 million to employ the school resource officers and $6 million for a mental health services expansion.
It also said the district is taking up Gov. Rick Scott on his offer, made Tuesday, to provide Florida Highway Patrol officers for additional security at the school.
Other projects mentioned in the letter for the upcoming school year include: Code Red training exercises (this includes active shooter response), real-time surveillance at all schools, and creating citizen task groups within communities.
Superintendent Runcie said counselors will remain at every school for students that need them.
Broward County Schools will be on spring break from March 26 to April 2.
►Make it easy to keep up-to-date with more stories like this. Download the 10 News app now.
Have a news tip? Email tips@wtsp.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter feed.
