The Sarasota County School District has announced a five-point plan to immediately provide short and long-term safety practices and capital improvements to enhance the security of its schools, students and staff. The plan includes the following action items: collaborate with local law enforcement to provide off-duty officers on 21 elementary school campuses through the end of the 2017–18 school year; place School Resource Officers on all Sarasota County school campuses for the 2018–19 school year; invest $25 million in capital funds to enhance the physical and environmental structures of the schools; strengthen the capacity of the internal Office of Safety, Security and Emergency Management department; and work with the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office to explore a school guardian program. The school district’s total Safe Schools allocation from the state for the 2018–19 school year totals more than $2.4 million—up from $950,00 this school year. In addition to this plan, the school district has earmarked more than $1 million to tackle mental and behavioral health issues, which will be addressed by the school board next month.

Sarasota County School District