Florida's School Safety Blueprint

Florida’s National Summit on School Safety: A Blueprint for Protecting America’s Students

This past week, Florida hosted its inaugural National Summit on School Safety in Orlando, bringing together top educators, law enforcement officials, policymakers, and safety professionals from 20 states. This landmark event aimed to set a new national standard for school security by promoting collaboration and sharing best practices for preventing violence and responding to potential threats in educational environments. This was a long awaited inside view into how Florida is protecting schools and an opportunity for other states to adopt the "Florida Blueprint" for school safety.

The Florida National Summit on School Safety was not just a local event—it was a gathering of school safety leaders from across the country. With attendees from 20 states, it was clear there is widespread interest in Florida’s approach to school safety.

Organized by the Florida Department of Education (FDOE) and supported by the Florida Foundation for Education, the summit addressed critical issues such as mental health resources, technology-driven security solutions, and the role of community partnerships in keeping schools safe. Florida has been at the forefront of school safety reforms since the tragic Parkland school shooting in 2018, implementing some of the nation’s most comprehensive laws and policies to safeguard students and staff.

A Unified Effort for Safer Schools

Florida’s commitment to school safety was evident in the impressive lineup of speakers and participants at the summit. Keynote addresses and panel discussions featured law enforcement officials, security experts, technology innovators, and victims’ families who have been instrumental in shaping Florida’s safety policies.

The Numbers Behind School Security Investments

The emphasis on school safety funding was another key discussion point at the summit. Since 2018, the State of Florida has allocated more than $2.5 billion toward school security improvements, mental health programs, and law enforcement training. This does not include funding by local education and law enforcement agencies. These investments include:

• $808 million for mental health services in schools, ensuring students in crisis receive early intervention.

• Over $350 million in infrastructure and technology enhancements, including security cameras, automatic locks, and AI-based threat detection and response.

• $27 million for the Guardian Program, which trains school personnel to respond to active shooter situations. Which doesn't include funding by 📌 *(Source: My analysis of Florida Department of Education - FDOE numbers)

I was among the speakers for the event. During the event, I emphasized Florida’s leadership in implementing robust school safety laws and urged other states to adopt similar measures. Of course I shared with the attendees the impact of a failure to prioritize the safety of our students and educators and the lasting impact on the families of the victims.

We must be actively engaged, when it comes to school safety,” Petty said during one of the panels. “Florida has created a national blueprint for school safety, and it’s time for other states to follow suit.

I was interviewed by Fox News, highlighting how Florida’s laws serve as a model for the nation, citing key policies such as:

• The Guardian Program, which allows trained school staff to carry firearms to protect students in case of an emergency.

• Threat assessment teams in schools to identify and intervene when students display concerning behavior.

• Mandatory school safety officers on every campus to provide immediate security presence.

• Increased funding for mental health programs, ensuring that students have access to support services.

Law Enforcement Presence in Schools: Does It Work?

The summit also highlighted the effectiveness of having trained school resource officers (SROs) on campus.

📊 Data from the University of Albany found that schools with full-time SROs experience 30% fewer violent incidents than those without. A study involving 128 Kentucky principals found that 87.5% believed SROs were effective, and 71.4% considered them essential to their school’s safety strategy. Notably, principals who met more frequently with their SROs perceived them as more effective, highlighting the importance of regular communication.

Leveraging Technology for Safer Schools

One of the major themes of the summit was the role of technology in preventing and responding to school threats. Several companies specializing in school security showcased innovative solutions designed to enhance safety in real-time.

AI-Powered Threat Detection

ZeroEyes, a leading provider of AI-powered gun detection software, presented their latest advancements in real-time firearm identification. Their system integrates with existing school security cameras and can detect weapons before shots are fired, giving law enforcement crucial time to respond.

In a social media post following the event, ZeroEyes emphasized the importance of partnerships between schools and security professionals to ensure effective implementation of these technologies. 📌 “We are committed to working hand-in-hand with education leaders and safety officials to make our schools safer,” the company wrote. (Source: Instagram)

Visitor Management

Another key player at the event was Raptor Technologies, a company known for its school visitor management. They highlighted how their automated background checks help schools maintain secure campuses. Raptor Technologies posted on Facebook: 📌 “If you haven’t already, stop by Table 6 at the 2025 Florida National Summit on School Safety! Learn how Raptor is leading the way in school safety solutions.” (Source: Facebook)

Emergency Response

And a new entrant, XSponse showcased their AI-powered emergency response automation solution. The X-Guardian platform, delivers real-time staff and visitor tracking, instant alerts, and automated emergency responses for proactive safety management. (Source: XSponse)

I'd like to thank all of the sponsors of the Summit. Without their support, the Summit would not have been possible.

Mental Health: The Foundation of School Safety

Beyond physical security measures, the summit stressed the importance of mental health resources in preventing school violence. Studies show that many school attackers exhibit warning signs before committing violence, underscoring the need for early intervention programs.

Florida has allocated millions in funding toward school mental health initiatives, ensuring that students have access to counselors and intervention specialists. Speakers at the summit advocated for a national push to provide mental health support as part of school safety strategies.

The Importance of Training & Preparedness

While technology and policy changes are essential, experts at the summit emphasized the need for regular school safety training for teachers, administrators, and students. Emergency preparedness drills, active shooter response training, and threat assessment programs have been shown to reduce casualties in crisis situations.

Speakers stressed that having a well-trained school staff and a prepared student body is just as important as installing security cameras or hiring school resource officers. Schools that conduct regular training sessions are more likely to respond effectively in emergency situations.

The Takeaway: Florida is Leading the Way

The Florida National Summit on School Safety reinforced a clear message: school safety must be a top priority nationwide. The discussions at the event reflected the urgency of the issue and the need for a unified approach that brings together policymakers, law enforcement, educators, and families.

As I have previously stated:

Every parent deserves to have their child return home after the school day. The families of every educator deserve no less. The school safety practices we implement today will determine the safety of future generations.

Florida’s bold approach to school safety is already influencing national conversations, and events like this summit are critical in ensuring that best practices are shared and implemented across the country.

As the conversation continues, one thing remains clear: protecting America’s students is a responsibility that cannot be ignored.

Acknowledgments

There are so many folks to thank for making this Summit possible. First, I'd like to thank Florida Education Commissioner Manny Diaz for his support and his dedication to ensuring Florida is on the cutting edge of school safety. Thanks to the entire Florida Department of Education Office of Safe Schools, Vice Chancellor Darren Norris and the entire OSS team. Without their tireless efforts, Florida's schools and school districts would be left alone to figure out how to protect schools, but because of their efforts Florida has a blueprint for school safety that is the envy of the nation. And thanks to the Florida Education Foundation, without whose support this summit would not have been possible.

Thanks to Governor Ron DeSantis for his unwavering commitment to Florida school safety. The Florida Legislature and their continued support and funding of school safety. And last and certainly not least, Marjory Stoneman Douglas Commission Chair, Sheriff Bob Gualtieri who has done more to protect Florida schools than anyone. Since the Parkland tragedy, Sheriff Gualtieri's nonstop efforts to knock down barriers, create a nation's first threat management model, and convince Florida policymakers to make protecting schools a priority. Sheriff Gualtieri is unrelenting.