LIVE OAK, Fla. (WTXL) - The Suwannee County School Board has voted to implement Florida's new Guardian Program.
It's the first school district in our area to say "yes" to arming employees.
Bill Brothers, the Assistant Superintendent of Administration at Suwannee County Schools, read the resolution at the board meeting Tuesday night: "The School Board intends to utilize all options available to meet the requirement of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act, which includes the Coach Aaron Feis Guardian Program."
No one spoke up against the resolution and it passed unanimously.
Two other school districts in our area— Leon and Jefferson County— have voted down the optional program. However, Suwannee County School District Superintendent Ted Roush says they're not alone.
"There are others in the process," Roush said at Tuesday night's meeting. "I've spoken with other superintendents as recent as last week, asking for our work we've done on this topic. [They're] going down the same route."
"We're going to do whatever we can, whatever is allowed to us by law, to protect the students in our district," said Jerry Taylor, Suwannee County School Board Chairman.
Suwannee County Sheriff Sam St. John says he's been working with the school district for months, making plans and doing research to ensure this program is successful.
He says they'll be thoroughly vetting any volunteers— That includes background checks, a psychological test and nearly 150 hours of training.
"Just like me hiring a deputy for road or patrol officer, I want the best that's out there," said Sheriff St. John. "I want the best qualified personnel that's here in school, already employed here."
Sheriff St. John says there are already a few potential candidates in mind, including district employees who are former law-enforcement or ex-military.
The Guardian Program will go into effect in the 2018-19 school year.
