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Superintendent highlights safety report; district says metal-detector rollout is "going very well"
Summary
Safety director reported 36 school inspections with 91.7% compliance; board and staff described the metal-detector rollout at several high schools and said there have been no weapons discoveries so far.
Captain Todd Smith, director of safety and security for Volusia County Schools, presented the district's annual safety report and said it was prepared in accordance with Florida law and district policy 5.11. Smith reported that 36 schools were inspected during the preceding calendar year and that 33 were found in compliance, or 91.7%.
Superintendent Carmen Balgobin thanked the safety team and law enforcement partners for behind-the-scenes work and said the district is committed to more than compliance: "They're not concerned about just being compliant, but they're truly committed to our community safety," she said, and she noted captain Smith will be presenting nationally on school safety and security.
Board members also asked for a status update on metal detectors being piloted at selected high schools. District officials said Pine Ridge, Atlantic and Pearson were already using the equipment and that Mainland would be next. A staff member summarized the implementation: schools took about three days to normalize the arrival routine and to train staff and students on procedures. When a trustee asked whether the district had encountered weapons since rollout, staff answered, "We have not. That's good. That's a great thing." The district also said random screenings and canine teams remain part of layered safety approaches.
Why it matters: Safety inspections and security equipment affect student and staff safety and daily operations at school entry. The board praised the district partnership with law enforcement and community partners.
Outcome: The board received the annual safety report. Trustees thanked the safety team and asked for continued updates on the metal-detector rollout and other layered security measures.
Ending: Staff indicated they will continue to roll detectors to additional sites and communicate with parents, principals and staff to ensure a smooth transition and minimal instructional disruption.
