The Florida Department of Education recently hosted its inaugural National Summit on School Safety in Tallahassee. Nearly 20 states participated in the event, which aimed to share Florida’s approach to school safety with national education leaders, law enforcement officials, policymakers, and school safety specialists.
Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz, Jr. emphasized the importance of the summit by stating, “Florida has established a blueprint for the nation on policies that protect our schools, students and educators when they are on school campuses.” He highlighted the opportunity for experts to exchange best practices in school safety.
Eric Hall, Secretary of the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice, expressed pride in collaborating with education and law enforcement partners at this event. He stated, “We will continue to work together on this important issue to ensure that every child can achieve academic success in a safe and secure learning environment.”
Kevin Guthrie, Executive Director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, underscored the significance of preparedness. He remarked, “Ensuring the safety of our students is a top priority,” adding that collaboration among various sectors is crucial for effective emergency response.
Matt Pennington from Utah’s Department of Public Safety shared insights into his state’s efforts and praised Florida’s role as a partner in enhancing Utah’s school safety measures. “School safety is the top priority of every state,” he said.
The summit featured various sessions covering topics such as mental health and resiliency, securing after-school events, threat management models, partnerships for common goals, and implementing changes in school safety compliance. A panel discussion by families affected by the Marjory Stoneman Douglas tragedy concluded the event.
Corporate sponsors played a significant role in making the summit possible. Presenting sponsors included Critical Response Group (CRG), Raptor Technologies, and Armoured One; platinum sponsors were Eagle Globe Protective Services, CK2 Technologies, Centegix and Dynamic Integrated Security; gold sponsors were Nightlock and Secure Passage.
For more information about school safety initiatives in Florida schools, visit Safe Schools.
