Brevard County schools, sheriff discuss school security programs

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey and Brevard Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Desmond Blackburn unveiled a school security program for the district Monday.

There have been several school threats in Central Florida schools since 17 students and teachers were shot to death at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.

"This is about making sure our students, our staff, our volunteers, anyone at the schools is as safe as humanly possible,"  Brevard County Superintendent Dr. Desmond Blackburn said.

They unveiled a four-prong approach to safe schools that included: education to include active shooting training and drills, hardening school facilities with fencing and single points of entry, school resource deputies or officers at the district's 82 schools and a proposal for a new program called S.T.O.M.P -- A Sheriff Trained On-Site Marshall Program that would arm volunteers working with Brevard schools.

"I believe in my heart that having select individuals with the ability to immediately engage or respond is paramount in protecting our children," said Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey.

Ivey said the marshals would have more than 130 hours of specialized training.

"I wish this was not the conversation we were having. It's not why I entered education. We're here, we're here, our schools are targets," Blackburn said.

Any plan would require public input and school board approval.

Cox Media Group