School District award $2.9 million for safety initiatives
The School District of Lee County has been awarded $2.9 million to further secure campuses for the safety of students and staff.
The district’s proposal of $2.9 million in appropriations is for school safety and the upgrade of critical security systems, as well as hardening of school facilities.
Safety, Security & Fleet Operations Chief Dave Newlan said they were able to go to Tallahassee and work with local representatives to seek funding to better help protect kids and staff.
Rep. Jenna Persons-Mulicka, State Rep. Tiffany Esposito, and Sen. Jonathan Martin helped in pushing the appropriations through the State Legislature.
“We always try to look ahead and forecast to see what is needed and (see the) vulnerability at any of our school sites and be more proactive and based on what is happening nationwide,” Newlan said, adding that they look at trends, so they are always one step ahead. “It’s a balance. We want kids to feel safe, comfortable, and welcome and allow them to concentrate on education and not have the anxiety, or concern we hear and read about nationwide with school violence.”
Although the measures taken are confidential to keep students and staff safe, the funding will be used for things such as increased fencing, new handheld radios for school staff and Rhinolocks – a secure locking mechanism, which allows doors to be quickly locked from the inside. Newlan said they want to take extra measures to keep students and staff safe, as well as letting parents know their child is in good hands.
The fencing is important as it creates a visual barrier; it depicts one should not go beyond the fence, Newlan said.
The handheld radios will increase communication amongst all schools – administration and security personnel – that is both clear and realiable. Newlan said it could be used on campus, or off, and during a hazardous natural catastrophe.
He said safety and security is ongoing as there is always something to work on and improve.
“I am always looking for new ways to protect our kids. I take it very seriously – protecting our families and community,” Newlan said.
The district is constantly seeking grants and looking for funding to be fiscally responsible. He said they are looking for ways to help fund and pay for things, so it will not come out of the district’s general fund.
In addition to the funding, Newlan said the great partnership they have with local law enforcement agencies further keeps students and staff safe.
“We have a great partnership with Cape Coral Police Department, Lee County Sheriff’s Department, Fort Myers Police Department and Sanibel Police Department. We are always communicating with them on an ongoing basis as a team to keep our schools safe. I am really thankful for the supportive teamwork we have with law enforcement agencies,” said, Newlan, Cape Coral’s former police chief. “The officers (school resource officers) that we see, they want to be there, like to be there, involved with the kids as mentors and role models. It’s a great thing.”
The school district is actively pursuing the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies accreditation for safety and security initiatives, which ensures that policies and practices meet the highest national standards. A new campus security accreditation has been added, which would make the School District of Lee County the first district in the state of Florida with the accreditation, the third in the country and the largest school district in the country.