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Florida Matters Preview: School Security

This week on Florida Matters, we're talking with Tampa Bay area officials about how their school districts are complying with a new state law that requires there to be at least one armed security guard in every school. 

The law was passed in response to the Parkland shooting that killed 17 people.

Many middle and high schools already have law enforcement agents known as school resource officers, or SRO’s, in place. But rather than station SRO’s in elementary schools, counties like Pasco and Polk have opted to hire and train security guards that would be district employees. They say it’s more affordable.

In this preview, Robin Sussingham talks with Polk Superintendent Jacqueline Byrd and Pasco Superintendent Kurt Browning about what changes families will see when the new school year begins in August.

I cover health care for WUSF and the statewide journalism collaborative Health News Florida. I’m passionate about highlighting community efforts to improve the quality of care in our state and make it more accessible to all Floridians. I’m also committed to holding those in power accountable when they fail to prioritize the health needs of the people they serve.
Robin Sussingham was Senior Editor at WUSF until September 2020.