POLK COUNTY, Fla. — Safety is a top issue for school district superintendents.
Many are introducing new safety protocols to keep students safe as they embark on a new school year.
What You Need To Know
- Polk schools to conduct random searches of students for weapons or other items
- Polk County Schools Superintendent Fred Heid said this plan is in addition to harsher punishment for making school threats
- BACK TO SCHOOL: What You Need To Know
Polk County Schools Superintendent Fred Heid said the district will start conducting random searches of students for weapons or other dangerous items.
This is in addition to harsher consequences for students who make school threats.
Heid says any students who make threats against the school will be investigated by local law enforcement.
"We need to reiterate to our students, times have changed since we grew up, and that playground comment is no longer something that we just let fly, or pass without there being a consequence," Heid said.
Last school year, the district dealt with 214 weapons on campuses as well as 44 firearms.
Classes will begin starting on Aug. 10.