Orlando School Board Grapples with Security Contract Disputes Affecting Student Safety

School security measures being discussed in a meeting.

Orlando’s School Board Faces Security Contract Challenges

Orlando, Fla. — The Orange County Public School Board is set to convene on Tuesday to discuss important matters concerning the safety of students within the district. This meeting comes in the wake of disagreements with five municipalities regarding contracts for providing School Resource Officers (SROs) in schools.

Who is Involved?

The municipalities affected include Apopka, Windermere, Winter Park, Winter Garden, and Ocoee. The school district is currently in talks with these local governments as they work to find common ground. Without this agreement, the safety of students in these areas may be compromised, as the district has already ensured SRO presence in other parts through contracts with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, the Orlando Police Department, Maitland Police Department, and Eatonville Police Department.

What is the Current Situation?

Currently, SROs employed through these municipalities are paid a salary of $72,000, with plans to increase to $73,000 for the 2025-2026 school year, and $75,000 the following year. Some municipalities are pushing for more funding than what the school district has proposed. In case negotiations stall completely, the district is considering implementing the Guardian Program as an alternative measure to enhance campus security.

What is the Guardian Program?

The Guardian Program offers a solution where volunteers can serve as armed campus security without the full powers of a law enforcement officer. Unlike SROs who are sworn officers, a guardian is an armed school employee who undergoes a minimum of 144 hours of training provided by a Florida sheriff’s office. To qualify, candidates must pass both a psychological evaluation and a drug test.

How Does the Program Operate?

Participants in the Guardian Program can carry firearms on school premises and are tasked primarily with monitoring for any threats and assisting law enforcement with assessments. They are authorized to act to stop threats should they arise, but their capacity to enforce laws is limited to situations such as active assailants.

Comparative Context

School districts across Central Florida have adopted the Guardian Program, including Brevard, Osceola, Lake, Marion, Sumter, and Volusia counties. This provides a framework for Orange County to consider as a backup plan if a consensus cannot be reached with the municipalities in question.

Next Steps

Board member Angie Gallo emphasized the district’s commitment to keeping SROs present in local schools with proposed terms favorable to the municipalities but stressed that negotiations must conclude efficiently. The outcome of the upcoming school board meeting may thus have significant implications for security in these municipalities as they strive to ensure student safety.

Conclusion

The meeting is scheduled to take place at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, and it is crucial for officials and community members to participate actively as the discussions unfold. The future of student safety in Orange County could very well depend on the decisions made in the hours to come.