Jacksonville, FL — Now that Florida law allows more teachers to carry a gun in the classroom, Duval County Public Schools says they are not moving forward with that option.
DCPS says they will continue to use police officers in middle and high schools and school safety assistants in elementary schools. The new law, signed by Governor Ron DeSantis Wednesday, expands the "guardian" program put in place after the Parkland school shooting last year.
The law says teachers would be allowed to carry if their school district approves it and they volunteer. Volunteers would then have to go through police-style training and have a psychiatric evaluation. The expansion of the program takes effect in October.
Clay County Schools Superintendent Addison Davis says teachers should be armed with additional funding, inspiration, and the necessary resources to improve teaching and learning, not guns.
“While I understand the immediacy for our legislature to provide relevant and thoughtful solutions to school safety, I personally cannot support arming classroom teachers”, Davis said.
However Davis said he is open to working with local law enforcement agencies in developing a blueprint that leads to the arming and training of select school-based and district administrators.
“I understand that this will take School Board approval, but I stand ready to discuss this with all stakeholders on how we would like to move forward within the law", said Davis.
Baker County Schools says following the Parkland school shooting the district and Sheriff's Office are determined not to leave any lawful tool "on the table" that would protect their schools. The district says after a year they determined it would be best if they implemented the "guardian" program along with a school resource deputy from the Sheriff's Office at every school.
We're working with St. Johns and Nassau Counties' school districts to learn how they plan to move forward with the law. We'll bring you an update once we hear back.