Duval County School Board set to vote on recommendation to staff elementary schools with armed safety assistants

Jacksonville, FL — Following the Parkland school shooting earlier this year, Duval County Public Schools is now recommending staffing every single elementary school in the district with an armed school safety assistant.

DCPS describes this new position as having the primary responsibility of using whatever force is necessary to prevent an active assailant incident on school campuses, as well as to conduct perimeter and inner school checks to make sure the campus is safe.

If the Duval County School Board approves the idea, the district will immediately begin work to implement the plan by having the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office host four training classes this summer.

Anyone hired as a school safety assistant will need to undergo 144 hours of training by JSO, including firearms training. These assistants would also be required to re-qualify each year they're employed.

DCPS says this idea is all about providing a strong security presence at schools, without arming teachers and other staff who need to focus on educating students.

The district hopes to create these positions with state funds and by setting aside an additional $800,000 from the district's own budget. We're told JSO would likely receive a state grant to help cover the costs of training.

The school board is set to vote on the proposal at their May meeting. If it gets approval, anyone interested in applying will be able to see the requirements on the district's human resources website in May.

The district says their middle and high schools are already patrolled by school safety officers.