Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission l?u'hlu? \ilen' IN 0F: Alyssa Alhadel'f Scott Beigel Martin Duque Anguiano Nicholas Dworet Aaron Feis Jaime Guttenberg Christopher Hixon Luke Hoyer Cara Loughran Gina Montalto Joaquin Oliver Alaina Petty Meadow Pollack Helena Ramsay Alexander Schachter Carmen Schentrup Peter Wang March 6, 2019 The Honorable Joe Taylor Superintendent, Washington County Public Schools 652 Third Street Chipley, FL 32428 Dear Superintendent Taylor: At the last meeting of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission (Commission), the Commission voted unanimously to recommend that all school districts across Florida maximize the use ofthe school Guardian Program authorized under Florida law. 1 am writing on behalf of the Commission to encourage you and your school district to fully implement the Guardian Program and maximize school safety in your district. Florida law currently requires that there be at least one Safe School Of?cer on every elementary, middle, high, and charter school campus in Florida. This does not mean that a Safe School Of?cer simply be "assigned" to the school; this means there needs to be an armed Safe School Of?cer on campus at all times when school is in session. A Safe School Of?cer is either a police of?cer, deputy sheriff, or a Guardian. A Guardian is speci?cally de?ned under Florida law as anyone employed by a school/school district, other than someone who is predominately a classroom teacher (with certain exceptions). Several districts and charter schools across Florida have implemented the Guardian Program by hiring designated, full-time Guardians. They are generally uniformed personnel who perform solely as Guardians and have no other school responsibilities. Despite being authorized under current law, only a few districts permit school personnel, such as principals, coaches, or others, to act as Guardians in addition to their ?regular? duties. This self?imposed limitation by the school districts does not maximize school safety as allowed by current law. Simply having one armed Safe School Of?cer on a campus is insuf?cient in most cases, especially when the law permits other quali?ed and willing school personnel to be voluntarily armed as a collateral duty to stop a threat that may occur at school. On February 13, 2019, Governor Ron DeSantis issued an Executive Order permitting a renewed and extended application period for Guardian funding. This is a second opportunity to take advantage of the $67 million in Guardian training funds provided for in SB7026. The applications under this extension are due to the Department of Education, through the sheriffof your county, by April 1, 2019, and the funds may be expended through September 13, 2019. Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission l?nhlic sale? IN MEMORY OF: Alyssa Alhadel'f Scott Beige! Martin Duque Anguiano Nicholas Dworet Aaron Feis Jaime Guttenberg Christopher Hixon Luke Hoyer Cara Loughran Gina Montalto Joaquin Oliver Alaina Petty Meadow Pollack Helena Ramsay Alexander Schachter Carmen Schentrup Peter Wang Seconds matter when stopping an active shooter and the Commission urges you to maximize the authority you have under current Florida law to enhance school safety by permitting additional quali?ed and willing personnel to be voluntarily armed to protect our children from harm. Thank you for your consideration of this important matter. Sincerely, Sheriff Bob Gualtieri Commission Chair