In response to recent school violence incidents, Okaloosa County School District Superintendent Marcus Chambers has addressed parents and community leaders, outlining the district’s comprehensive approach to school safety.
- In a detailed message to the community, Chambers expressed sorrow for the families affected by the recent tragedy in Winder, Georgia. The incident, which occurred at Apalachee High School, struck close to home for Okaloosa County, as local athletic teams have previously competed against the Georgia school.
“As Superintendent, I have prayed for the Winder, Georgia Community and the ‘CHEE Family’ just as I pray for the safety of our students and educators each morning,” Chambers stated.
Emphasizing the district’s commitment to student safety, Chambers detailed several key safety measures:
The district’s Office of Safe Schools, comprised of safety experts, collaborates with public safety agencies to enhance security procedures and crisis planning.
A partnership with the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office provides a “distinguished School Resource Officer Program,” with officers stationed on every campus. High schools are assigned two officers for increased security.
The district employs advanced technology, including:
- Cutting-edge radio and voice communication systems allowing immediate lockdown alerts from anywhere on campus.
- Advanced camera systems providing real-time video access to any school, linked directly to the Sheriff’s Office Emergency Operations Center.
- A mobile panic alert system, required by Florida Statutes, connecting to local 911 infrastructure for emergency calls and mobile activations.
Chambers highlighted the district’s focus on emergency preparedness: “Our District has multiple layers of protection in place for students, with one key component being our hazard-specific standard response protocols.” This includes active assailant training for all staff and regular scenario-based lockdown drills for students.
The Superintendent addressed the sensitive nature of these drills, noting, “These drills are always conducted in an age-appropriate and developmentally suitable manner, starting with the announcement, ‘This is a drill,’ to minimize panic or anxiety.”
Mental health support is also a priority. Chambers mentioned school-based counseling programs and multidisciplinary teams working with students who exhibit concerning behaviors, providing care and support for academic success.
The Superintendent stressed the crucial role of students and families in preventing school violence.
- “Please talk to your children and encourage them to have the courage to SAY SOMETHING if they see or hear something (whether verbally or on social media) that could jeopardize school safety,” Chambers urged. He noted that in many incidents of school violence, students had prior knowledge of threats but did not report them.
Chambers encouraged the use of the FortifyFL App for reporting potential threats and emphasized the importance of reaching out to school staff with concerns.
Concluding his message, Chambers tied the district’s safety focus to its overall success: “Our A+ District, which focuses on the Academics, Arts, and Athletics, is successful because we all support and are focused on the safety and security of our people.”
