The big story: Pinellas County high schools won’t be adding weapon detection systems at their entrances in the fall.
A test run of two models led officials to conclude that the price tag, which could approach $20 million, is too high. Superintendent Kevin Hendrick said a state grant that his team wanted to use to cover the cost would not be available.
The staffing cost is another concern. Each checkpoint requires three to four employees, which district security director Sean Jowell told the school board would take too many people out of the hallways and classrooms, depleting oversight as students arrive.
The rollout at Palm Harbor University High highlighted some of the problems, leading the district to cut short the pilot there and at Gibbs High, which experienced fewer issues.
“I believe it would put us in a worse situation,” Jowell said. “Right now, we are not going to recommend we scale this out across the entire district.”
Jowell added that the district’s use of a Sandy Hook-inspired tip line has been “hands down” the greatest security tool, teaching students how to be vigilant for safety and report concerns.
He and Jennifer Dull, the district’s chief operating officer, suggested that the district purchase two units to be used randomly at campuses and during events. The plan calls for continuing to test the models at spring football, one graduation and an upcoming board meeting.
Board members said they supported the recommendation, while also stressing the importance of maintaining secure schools.
“We all want our students to be safe,” vice chairperson Dawn Peters said. “But I agree, I don’t think this is the best way at this time to make our schools a safer place.”
If new information, or new technology, becomes available, board member Laura Hine added, “then we can have this conversation again.”
Hot topics
Teacher discipline: A Hillsborough County middle school teacher has been removed from her classroom amid an investigation into a video-recorded incident that critics are calling racist.
School leadership: Six Pinellas County schools are getting new principals. More shifts are expected.
Referendums: The Orange County school board will not use revenue from a property tax referendum to provide teacher raises if voters approve the measure in November, the Orlando Sentinel reports. • Miami-Dade County voters will decide whether to renew a property tax that supports teacher pay and school security, the Miami Herald reports.
Reading lessons: Florida ranked last in the nation for academic growth in reading since reopening after the COVID-19 pandemic, USA Today reports.
NIMBY: Residents of a Hillsborough County neighborhood are fighting to stop an 1,100-student private school from rising in their community, WFTS reports.
Enrollment: The Orange County school district is planning to open a baseball-themed microschool in its effort to combat declining enrollment, the Orlando Sentinel reports.
Contract talks: University of Florida graduate assistants reached a tentative contract deal with the school after three years of negotiations, the Gainesville Sun reports.
College campus merger: A proposal to transfer USF Sarasota-Manatee to New College remains on the table during the Legislature’s special session on the budget, despite the Senate’s strong opposition, the Herald-Tribune reports.
Charter schools: Alachua County’s newest charter school has appointed a new board member as it prepares to open in August, the Independent Florida Alligator reports.
Campus closures: The Miami-Dade County school board will decide in June whether to close or consolidate nine under-enrolled schools, K-12 Dive reports. • Campus closures and budget cuts are growing across Florida as districts grapple with declining student enrollment, USA Today Florida Network reports.
From the police blotter ... A Palm Beach County charter school teacher was arrested on accusations of inappropriately touching a student, WPTV reports.
From the court docket ... The Broward County school district will sue the county tax collector over her office’s withholding of $5.5 million in school referendum revenue, the Sun-Sentinel reports.
Quick quiz
UF interim president Donald Landry was not chosen to lead the state’s flagship university on a permanent basis. What will he get for severance?
a) Sincere thanks
b) $2 million
c) An emeritus professorship
Find the answer in this story from the Tampa Bay Times.
Meanwhile, some critics aren’t happy with the school’s lone finalist for the job. Find out why from Florida Phoenix.
Don’t miss a story. Here’s a link to yesterday’s roundup.
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