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Department of Juvenile Justice presents Circuit 5 supervision, residential services and school coordination
Summary
Randy Reynolds, chief probation officer for DJJ Circuit 5, briefed the board on community supervision caseloads, residential services and new coordination with schools. He reported circuit‑level figures and described steps to share school records and academic reports with probation staff to support accountability and educational continuity.
Randy Reynolds, chief probation officer for Circuit 5 of the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice, briefed the Citrus County School Board on DJJ community supervision, residential services and growing coordination with local schools.
Reynolds told the board his office is tracking circuit‑wide and Citrus County caseloads and that DJJ staff have increased information‑sharing with schools to support academic oversight and court reporting. He said roughly “497 kids” were on community supervision circuit‑wide, and that “38 are here in Citrus County” (he described those as current figures subject to change). He said about “233 kids committed to DJJ programs” circuit‑wide with a subset awaiting placement in secure settings; he also described residential program services, education offerings (including Florida Youth College partnerships and career navigator support) and available credentials such as OSHA or forklift training, where time permits.
Reynolds described operational steps to improve coordination with schools: juvenile probation officers (JPOs) and supervisors are reviewing grades and attendance at least every 30 days for supervised youth, sending school reports to SROs and administrators when disposition or commitment occurs, and requesting school records to include in court filings. He said the circuit has three JPOs based in Citrus County along with a senior JPO and supervisor, and that DJJ staff are seeking to be included in school threat assessment training — he stated that DJJ staff were scheduled to receive that training and expressed an interest in being at the table for threat‑assessment coordination.
Board members thanked DJJ for participation in principal meetings and for enhanced information sharing; one member noted that school discipline and criminal accountability must be balanced with supports so that youth receive education and consequences where appropriate.
Why it matters Greater coordination between schools and juvenile supervision can improve educational continuity for youth involved in the justice system and ensure courts and probation officers have up‑to‑date information on attendance and academic progress. Reynolds’ report described specific steps DJJ is taking to request school records, provide monthly school reports for supervised youth, and increase presence at principal and stakeholder meetings.
