Office of Safe Schools and HB 1473: Office of Safe Schools Update and Compliance Trends

This presentation, "Office of Safe Schools and HB 1473: Office of Safe Schools Update and Compliance Trends," by Darren Norris, Vice Chancellor of the Office of Safe Schools at the Florida Department of Education, provides a comprehensive overview of school safety requirements and compliance trends in Florida. Norris begins by sharing his background in law enforcement and his passion for school safety, emphasizing the importance of mental health in creating a safe school environment.

The presentation then delves into the key provisions of House Bill 1473, which includes updates to the Guardian program, school safety officer requirements, drone regulations, and mandatory training on Fortify Florida. Norris discusses the implications of these changes for both charter and private schools.

Norris also addresses the significant increase in Fortify Florida tips and the challenges of collecting data due to the anonymity of the reporting system. He discusses ongoing efforts to improve data collection and analysis to better understand and respond to school safety threats.

The presentation further highlights compliance issues and trends observed during school inspections, particularly regarding unlocked classroom doors and gates. Norris emphasizes the importance of following safety protocols and addressing non-compliance issues promptly.

The session concludes with a Q&A session, where Norris answers questions from the audience on a variety of topics, including the role of charter schools in managing their security, the challenges of shared campuses, and the importance of layered security measures.

Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of school safety requirements in Florida, the latest updates from the Office of Safe Schools, and best practices for ensuring compliance and creating a safe learning environment for all students.