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Brief Recap of Highlights from the July 24 School Board Meeting

At the July 24, 2018 meeting, The School Board of Broward County, Florida approved the following items related to safety and security enhancements across the District:

Video Surveillance Cameras Upgrade: The first phase of the project to upgrade the network of 10,000 real-time surveillance cameras is complete. The School Board approved an item to begin phase two of the video surveillance project. This phase includes plans to install approximately 2,500 additional cameras on school campuses. The upgraded cameras enhance the District’s ability to leverage the upgraded system and provide additional functionality for monitoring campuses. To learn more about agenda item EE-11, visit the School Board agenda website: http://bcpsagenda.browardschools.com/agenda/01463/Item%20EE-11%20(51586)/index.html

Armed Safe School Officer, Marshal/Guardian Program: The School Board approved the job description for the Armed Safe School Officer, Marshal/Guardian Program, established in accordance with the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act and in support of the Coach Aaron Feis Guardian Program. The Armed Safe School Officer, Marshal/Guardian will be responsible for providing security and safety services for a school’s campus. To learn more about agenda item CC-3, which includes the job description, visit the School Board agenda website: http://bcpsagenda.browardschools.com/agenda/01463/Item%20CC-3%20(51324)/index.html

Interested in becoming an Armed Safe School Officer? Apply online at https://www.applitrack.com/broward/onlineapp/default.aspx?Category=Armed+Safe+School+Officer&showinternal=false  

Sandy Hook Promise Foundation programs: On July 24, 2018, the School Board approved an agreement with the Sandy Hook Promise Foundation to implement up to 4 no-cost, violence prevention programs (Start with Hello, Say Something, Safety Assessment and Intervention, and Signs of Suicide) into existing or new pro-social clubs at schools across the District. To learn more about agenda item F-1, visit the School Board agenda website: http://bcpsagenda.browardschools.com/agenda/01463/Item%20F-1%20(51458)/index.html

State Mental Health Assistance Allocation Plan: The School Board approved the plan to expand mental health services in the 2018/19 school year. The District received $5.1 million in funding from the state, specifically targeted to expand mental health services provided bythe District. The expansion plan provides for 50 support positions, which include 10 school counselors, 10 school psychologists, 10 social workers, 10 behavior analysts, 5 nurses and 5 employee assistance program (EAP) counselors. To learn more about agenda item FF-2, visit the School Board agenda website: http://bcpsagenda.browardschools.com/agenda/01463/Item%20FF-2%20(51513)/index.html

Individual School Site Florida Safe Schools Risk Assessment: The School Board approved the Florida Safe Schools Assessment Tool (FSSAT), which now includes a school security risk assessment designed to help school officials identify threats, vulnerabilities, and appropriate safety controls for the campuses they supervise.

Submission of the FSSAT is a pre-requisite to qualify for grant funding from the state for funding allocated in the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act. If approved, the grant funds would be utilized to improve the physical security of school buildings based on findings of the school security risk assessments. To qualify for funding, the District must submit to the State a completed new FSSAT for all schools by August 1, 2018. To learn more about agenda item I-2, visit the School Board agenda website: http://bcpsagenda.browardschools.com/agenda/01463/Item%20I-2%20(51617)/index.html

 


 

Progress Update Regarding Safety and Security for School Campuses

Security Risk Assessment Update: The first phase of the security risk assessment, conducted by Safe Havens (an independent security firm), has been completed. Safe Havens is compiling a preliminary report, while preparing to implement the second phase of the project.

School Resource Officer/Armed School Safety Officer: By the first day of school, the District will meet the new state requirement to have at least one School Resource Officer (SRO) or an Armed School Safety Officer on every school campus.

Code Red/Active Assailant Drills: District staff has worked with law enforcement agencies to improve "code red" active assailant training and drills for staff and students. Starting early in the school year, schools will increase the frequency of lockdown drills.

Expanded Mental Health Services: The District will expand mental health services in the District, with $5.1 million in new funding from the state.

Safety/Security Protocols: All safety rules will be continuously reinforced at all schools – procedures for locking exterior doors, classroom doors and gates throughout the day. As a reminder, all students, staff and visitors are required to wear identification badges on school campuses.

 

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ABOUT BROWARD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

“Committed to educating all students to reach their highest potential.”

Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) is the sixth largest school district in the nation and the second largest in the state of Florida. BCPS is Florida’s first fully accredited school system since 1962. BCPS has more than 271,500 students and approximately 175,000 adult students in 234 schools, centers and technical colleges, and 93 charter schools. BCPS serves a diverse student population, with students representing 204 different countries and 191 different languages. To learn more, visit browardschools.com. Follow BCPS on Twitter @browardschools and Facebook at facebook.com/browardschools, and download the free BCPS mobile app.