MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. -- School districts across the area are finalizing school security plans. The state did not fully fund the mandate and this has forced some districts to get creative with how to protect students and pay for it.
The Manatee County School District had a plan in place. But after taking a closer look, the district may have found a way around the law to offer better school security.
“I’m not ready to give up,” said Dr. Scott Hopes, the district's school board chairman.
Hopes took part in an active shooter training drill at Bayshore High School on Wednesday morning. He said he watched as school resource officers from the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office confronted the threat.
“They didn’t have to think about what they were doing,” he said.
Hopes said that confirmed what he already knew. “I believe parents, teachers and what I want are armed law enforcement in our schools.”
Due to a lack of funding, the school district chose to hire 30 guardians for elementary schools instead of school resource officers. About 150 applications have come in so far.
Hopes, however, says has a plan he’s taking to Sheriff Rick Wells.
“Can we create a separate category of deputies whose primary job is safety and security of our schools?” asked Hopes.
He hopes the plan can meet the sheriff’s needs as well.
Due to population growth, Wells has asked the county for 18 deputies but might only get 10.
Hopes’ plan would work like this: Under the state’s mandate, the district will pay for the sheriff’s office to train guardians. The sheriff will select candidates with the potential to be deputies and pay for any additional training needed.
“That reduces his cost to train a deputy,” said Hopes.
The school district pays for the deputy’s salary during the 10-month-long school year. The sheriff uses the deputy the other two months and covers their salary.
“I think the sheriff and I can work this out,” said Hopes. “I want there to be no doubt in the minds of parents and students they’re safe.”
Hopes says they can reduce costs by eliminating capital expenses such as giving each new school deputy a patrol car. Hopes says a bike to help the deputy get around campus would be easier and be cheaper.
Hopes will meet with the sheriff Friday morning. We asked the sheriff for an interview but he was not available. He did say he’d speak with us after his meeting with the school district.
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