Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Facilities And Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
District recommends banning on-campus fireworks after risk review; boosters and parents push for alternatives
Summary
Santa Rosa County School District staff recommended prohibiting fireworks at school events after consulting fire officials and the Florida School Boards Insurance Trust; board members and community speakers urged finding workable solutions to preserve pregame traditions.
District risk management staff recommended prohibiting pyrotechnic displays at district events, citing liability exposures, National Fire Protection Association guidance and concerns from local fire officials and the Florida School Boards Insurance Trust.
Risk manager Timmons told the board the change followed months of review with fire life-safety staff and insurance-trust representatives and pointed to NFPA 1123 guidance and setbacks that many campuses cannot meet. She said local fire districts provide costly standby resources for professional displays and noted vendors and booster groups typically contract directly for those displays without formal district oversight. “This decision was an objective one regarding risk and liability exposure,” Timmons said.
Nut graf: The recommendation to prohibit fireworks on school property drew immediate pushback from community members who emphasized the role of pregame fireworks in school traditions, student morale and hospitality for visiting teams. Board members asked whether fireworks could occur off campus, funded and run entirely by third parties, and how the district might help preserve traditions while mitigating risk.
Board discussion and public comment focused on practical options. Risk staff said fireworks off district property — for example on adjacent privately owned lots — and without use of school funds would not be subject to district prohibition, and that booster-funded off-site displays were a possible workaround. Coach and longtime volunteer Steven Gregory and vendor speakers urged the district to seek compromise and to consult with local pyrotechnic providers to develop controlled, insured solutions that meet NFPA and local-fire requirements.
Several board members said they understood both the liability concerns and the community impact. Superintendent Karen Barber said the district seeks solutions that protect students and the district’s insurance pool while preserving as many traditions as possible.
Ending: Risk staff offered to meet with booster groups and vendors after the meeting to explore options — scheduling, off-site displays, or contracting processes — and the board said it would consider the practical feedback before adopting any written policy change.
