Bunnell, FL - It's a deal which ensures extra police presence at all Flagler County public schools starting next school year.
By unanimous vote at Tuesday night's meeting, the School Board approved nearly $800,000 in spending for stationing at least one deputy on all elementary and middle school campuses as well as hiring nine additional school crossing guards.
Flagler's two high schools - Matanzas & Flagler Palm Coast - will have two deputies in place.
There's also a "floating" deputy who will roam around the county and fill in where needed, according to a release from the school district.
That money will cover about half of the costs for the nine deputies and two officers needed, with the rest coming from the Flagler County Sheriff's Office, the agency which will train and pay those officers.
FCSO will also cover any needed overtime pay, according to Flagler Schools Superintendent James Tager.
"Sheriff Rick Staly is an important partner in keeping our campuses safe," Tager added.
The Palm Coast City Council has also agreed to continue providing funding for an additional school resource deputy.
Tager says this move fulfills a critical part of State Bill 7026, better known and the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act. It was passed by state lawmakers earlier this year following the fatal shooting of 17 people at that Parkland school by an ex-student.
“We all understand the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act is a good first step," Tager noted. "Yet, at the same time, we also understand there is still much work to be done to ensure the spirit of that act is fully funded. I am confident that by working together with Sheriff Staly, as well as all our law enforcement partners, we can make that happen."
For more about the Memorandum of Understanding, click here.
Copyright 2018 Southern Stone Communications.
