JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- St. Johns County School Superintendent Joe Joyner sat down with the school board Tuesday to discuss what more can be done to tackle school safety. "Safety is always first. That's what parents want and that's not lost on this board," says Dr. Joyner.
The concern comes after the issue of school safety was thrust into the national spotlight following the Sandy Hook Elementary shootings in Newtown, Connecticut in December.
The St. Johns County School District has changed a number of safety procedures in the last month. Those changes included everything from how they run their emergency drills, holding safety team meetings, having operational procedures looked at by law enforcement, to having youth resource deputies at all middle, high, and now elementary schools. "We've got obviously more law enforcement presence in our elementary schools. Thanks to our local Sheriff's office. That would be the biggest change," says Joyner.
Joyner is hoping funding from the state will improve to help foster these heightened security measures. "Hopefully with our state well see a flexible approach to any additional resources that comes down to school districts," he says.
