TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Keeping students safe is a top priority, and Governor Rick Scott's $500 million proposal wants to strengthen school safety plans across the state.
Leon County Schools Superintendent Rocky Hanna says he is optimistic about Scott's plan and says keeping school kids safe needs to be a main focus following the tragedy in Parkland.
Scott's plan dedicates $450 million to upgrading school safety plans. Some of the money will be used to harden schools with metal detectors, bullet-proof glass and stronger locks.
The plan calls for law enforcement officers to be present during school hours in all public schools. It will also give faculty and staff tools to recognize potential threats and have an emergency plan ready.
"Teachers are trained educators, they are not trained law enforcement officers," said Hanna. "If we want to have additional law enforcement officers on our campus, I'm all for it, but if you're going to have a gun, you're going to have a badge."
Each school year, faculty will be required to take crisis intervention training. A threat assessment team of an officer, teacher and principal will meet monthly to talk about any potential threats to students and staff.
All school safety plans must be submitted and approved by the local sheriff's office before July 1 each year to receive state funds.
