MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — Since the mass shooting at Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida almost one year ago, school districts across the state have implemented additional security and safety measures. On Monday Manatee School District leaders, speaking alongside local law enforcement, detailed the improvements they've put in place, as well as plans for future security and safety improvements.

  • Manatee Co. among first in state to place armed personnel in schools after Parkland
  • District hired, trained school guardians during summer 2018
  • Additional school psychologists, guidance counselors hired
  • More changes to come
  • More Manatee County stories

It has been a scramble for school districts around the state to meet new school security mandates put in place after 17 lives were taken a year ago at Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School. 

The School District of Manatee County was one of the first in the state to put armed personnel in every school following the shooting. By February 27, 2018, they had a law enforcement officer staffed on every campus.

However, the district’s strategy changed after the school year ended. 

“We made it clear that we needed armed law enforcement in our schools as soon as they could get it in,” explained school board member Scott Hopes.  “They were able to fill that with off-duty personnel, but that was not sustainable.” 

The school district hired numerous school guardians over the summer and put them through 144 hours of training. 

To date, just shy of 50 armed guardians are stationed at county schools. There are 22 school resource officers that report to middle and high school campuses. 

In addition to the officers, the district has 77 guidance counselors and 21 school psychologists. 

The district also had a safety audit completed at each school campus. As of this month, every school has a buzzer system in place at the front door and video monitoring systems. More improvements are in the works. 

Students will have a moment of silence on Thursday, in remembrance of the Parkland shooting.