TAMPA, Florida. – Schools across Florida are preparing to reopen with some significant safety improvements, but one measure in particular is raising concerns.
READ: Starting July 1, schools in Florida will have to close all doors during class time, which presents some challenges
A new law that went into effect July 1 requires all doors, hallways and gates in and around Florida schools to be locked during class time, with exceptions only when students are moving rooms between classes or recess and for certain doors for which an exemption has been granted.
And although the law has been in place for over a month, it will be put to the test in the coming weeks as students return to schools. While school staff agree that the new law makes sense, they are having a hard time implementing the new rules.
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Some members of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School’s Public Safety Commission understand why. Just last week, they discussed the logistics of the law.
Commissioner Grady Judd, who is also the sheriff of Polk County, said the law cannot be enforced without exceptions, arguing that there could be significant movement throughout the school, even during class.
“If the school is busy all day, not just during class changes,” Judd said, “so how are the kids supposed to get in and out unless you have to occupy whole wings of large schools? Because it’s not a closed area, and so it needs an explanation.”
Judd expressed concern that there could be unintentional violations of the law, adding that the officer who oversees compliance in his own district feels overwhelmed by the situation.
The Commission indicated that it may independently – or with the support of the Department of Education – produce a scenario-based training or publication to further explain the legislation.
Some colleges are now considering issuing programmable hall passes to their students, but these options can be costly.
Almost all schools in Florida will begin the 2024-2025 school year on the earliest possible date – Monday, August 12.
