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Volunteer says Bluewater Elementary library doors were locked during visit; board asked to clarify policy
Summary
A volunteer told the board he was unable to access the Bluewater Elementary library during a planned volunteer shift because doors were locked; he said the practice discourages engagement and called it "bureaucratic overkill."
During the public-comment portion of the Okaloosa County School Board meeting, resident volunteer Steve Duke described a visit to Bluewater Elementary where he said the library doors were locked and he could not access books while volunteering.
Duke said he "went through all the driver's license to get in the front door" and then "banged on the door" to reach the media specialist, Mr. Johansson. He said two adults were present in the room and there were no students. "I was appalled. This is a library. It's supposed to be welcoming, open, inviting," Duke said, adding that the shelves contained "hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of books." He described the practice as "classic bureaucratic overkill" and said he would follow up with district staff, including Pat Manny.
Meeting staff read public-comment procedures before Duke spoke. No board action was taken. The volunteer raised a question about whether school security procedures are mandated by state rules; Duke said he would seek clarification from district staff.
The board did not provide a detailed policy response during public comment; staff indicated procedures for speaker time and the district noted it reviews safety procedures as part of annual policy reviews.
