Sarasota schools report most state safety inspections cleared; training and fingerprinting changes under way

A safety and security team update to the Sarasota County School Board on March 4 said the district has completed its district compliance visits for all 57 schools and that the Florida Department of Education has begun its three‑year cycle of state inspections.

The briefing, delivered by a safety and security presenter and introduced by Superintendent Conner, said state inspectors have reviewed 14 schools in the current quarter. "We've had 9 of those 14 go through the inspection without any blemish whatsoever," the presenter said, adding that 56% of schools inspected to date had no violations and 79% had either no violations or only minor paperwork issues.

The update covered multiple operational topics the district is addressing. The district identified a main compliance gap in certifications for threat management; it said those certificates were reissued after work with the district threat management coordinator, Michael Sanagata, and Cindy Weitzel. The district also described continuing work with school administrators and school resource officers to correct deficiencies found during inspections.

District officials reviewed staffing for the security aid program and related training. The presenters said the district took over the security aid program in July 2023, that security staffing has been increased, and that interviews were scheduled for two day‑shift vacancies and one night‑shift vacancy. The district described expanded training for security personnel emphasizing de‑escalation, verbal techniques and situational awareness and said staff review district policies and state law so that officers understand their operational parameters.

Presenters summarized proposed state legislation affecting school security as described in bills filed with the Florida Legislature. The briefing noted House Bill 1473 (as described in the presentation) would require compliance with provisions of House Bill 1473 from 30 minutes before school to 30 minutes after dismissal, allow certain gates inside secured perimeters to remain open without a waiver, and permit exemptions for career and technical education spaces and common areas in some circumstances. Senate Bill 1470 (as described in the presentation) uses the term "school supervision hours" and would leave the definition of that period to the state or district; it would also ask the Office of Safe Schools to create a list of exemptions similar to those for CTE classrooms. The presenters said district staff continue to track the bills as they move through the Legislature.

Officials also described an administrative change in fingerprinting: responsibility for fingerprinting district personnel is moving from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to the agency referenced in the presentation (noted as ACCA). District staff said the change will require refingerprinting of district personnel over a three‑year period and that the district will visit school sites to make fingerprinting more convenient.

District and law‑enforcement partners described planning for reunification in the event of an incident, and the presenters said district staff have met with families affected by other mass violence incidents and with external trainers to strengthen reunification procedures.

Board members praised the work and stressed continued attention to compliance. Board Chair Enos said: "Safety and security — kids can't learn if they don't feel safe, teachers can't teach if they don't feel safe," and urged the district to strive for full compliance as state rules evolve.

The district said the statutorily required state inspection report will be presented to the board for approval on March 11.