NewsEducation

Actions

Palm Beach County School Board approves new security policy

WPTV-PBC-SCHOOL-DISTRICT-POLICE.jpg
Posted at 9:22 AM, Jan 19, 2023
and last updated 2023-01-19 09:28:36-05

PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. — The School District of Palm Beach County officially has a new security policy on the books.

School board members on Wednesday night unanimously approved new rules that require classroom doors to be "closed and locked during class and will not be left propped or standing open, except during class change."

Under the new policy, any school district employees that does not follow the rule could face disciplinary action, including termination.

RELATED: Some Code Red lockdowns could've been handled differently, Palm Beach County schools police chief says

Some Code Red lockdowns could have been handled differently, Palm Beach County schools police chief says

The policy also sets guidelines for how school district employees should use new mobile panic buttons that all have with their ID badge.

A "Staff Alert" should be initiated when there is a medical emergency, physical altercation, visitor disruption, or suspicious activity on campus. In those cases, members of the school's Crisis Intervention Team will respond to the incident.

A "Lockdown" should be initiated in the event of an active shooter or violent offender on campus, or an "imminent threat on School Board property." Law enforcement will respond to those incidents.

SCHOOL SECURITY COVERAGE:

You can read the new school security policy by clicking here.

The Palm Beach County School Board on Wednesday also discussed looking into metal detectors as another way to enhance school security. However, board members did not officially vote on that issue.