June 2018 - PopHistory.org

Update Regarding School Resource Officers and Safe School Officers

June 28, 2018

Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) preference is to retain and expand the current School Resource Officer (SRO) program as part of the District’s overall safety and security efforts. Under the SRO program, BCPS partners with local municipalities and the Broward Sheriff’s Office to assign certified law enforcement officers at schools. New state legislative requirements (SB 7026) mandate all Florida school districts have an SRO or safe school officer at each school at the start of the 2018/19 school year. In the event a municipal partner is unable to support the District’s current SRO program due to financial reasons or officer availability, the District acknowledges the potential need to participate in the Coach Aaron Feis Guardian Program to meet the new state requirements.

During the Tuesday, June 27, 2018, School Board Meeting, the Broward County School Board approved three pertinent items: (1) the first reading of the job description for the new Armed Safe School Officers (Guardians), (2) the salary schedule for the new Armed Safe School Officers (Guardians), and (3) the District’s intent to avail itself of the Coach Aaron Feis Guardian Program.

Watch and listen to the School Board discussion:

Below are answers to frequently asked questions:

As part of the District’s participation in the Guardian Program, would teachers or other school staff members be allowed to serve as Guardians (and be armed at a school)?

BCPS has created the new position of Armed Safe School Officer (Guardian). This position is exclusively dedicated to serving as a guardian. BCPS is not allowing staff to serve in the role of a guardian as a supplemental role. The only way for teachers or other school staff members to serve as guardians would be for this to be their sole primary position, and for them to meet the minimum requirements for the position (the guardian position).

What happens next in the hiring of Armed Safe School Officers?

The District will issue its advertisement for the new Armed Safe School Officers (Guardians) and immediately begin ensuring candidates meet minimum requirements. Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications will go through background checks and drug testing, as mandated by the new legislation. Complete details on the minimum qualifications are outlined on page two of this document.

What is the timetable for hiring?

The District will immediately begin sourcing for these positions. The District is hopeful it will have sourced sufficient candidates by mid-July, to have the Broward Sheriff’s Office initiate the required training.

Is there going to be an armed security guard at each District school or will some schools share one guard?

The new legislation requires a safe school officer at every school and provides for school districts to utilize any combination of three mechanisms to comply: (1) partner with local law enforcement agencies to provide a certified law enforcement officer (SRO), (2) hire its own certified law enforcement officer (SRO), or (3) participate in an approved guardian program. The District only intends to provide a new Armed Safe School Officer (Guardian) at schools where a municipality is unable or unwilling to participate in the current SRO program structure.

What experience is required?

The minimum and preferred qualifications of the new Armed Safe School Officers (Guardians) are listed below.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:

Standard high school diploma or satisfactory completion of an approved General Educational Development (GED) Testing Program.
A minimum of two (2) years within the last ten (10) years of experience as a sworn law enforcement officer in “good standing” at time of employment separation. Two years of prior military experience with an honorable discharge may be substituted for law enforcement experience. (Military experience includes time as a Reservist)
Prior experience working with adolescents.
Must possess and maintain a valid State of Florida driver’s license.
Excellent oral and written communication skills, and the ability to accurately communicate facts.
Computer skills as required for the position.
Obtain the requirements outlined below prior to School Board appointment:

a. Hold a valid license issued under s. 790.06 (License to carry concealed weapon or firearm).

b. Successful completion of 132 hours of comprehensive firearm safety and proficiency training conducted by Criminal Justice Standards and training Commission-certified instructors

c. Pass a psychological evaluation administered by a psychologist licensed under chapter 490 and designated by the Department of Law Enforcement and submit the results of the evaluation to the Sheriff’s office.

d. Submit to and pass an initial drug test and subsequent random drug tests in accordance with the requirements of s. 112.0455 and the Sheriff’s office.

e. Successfully complete at least 12 hours of a certified nationally recognized diversity training program.

Must be twenty-one years of age (In the state of Florida, individuals must be 21 years of age or older to obtain a concealed weapons permit).

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:

An earned associate degree in a related field from an accredited institution.
A minimum of four (4) years within the last ten (10) years of experience as a sworn law enforcement officer in “good standing” at time of employment separation. Four years of prior military experience with an honorable discharge may be substituted for law enforcement experience. (Military experience includes time as a Reservist)

Prior experience in law enforcement in a K-12 setting.
Bilingual skills.

What will be their salary?

The School Board approved the salary schedule for the new Armed Safe School Officers (Guardians). The minimum and maximum hourly rates are identified below.

HOURLY RATE:

Minimum: $17.00680
Maximum: $22.19002

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ABOUT BROWARD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
“Committed to educating all students to reach their highest potential.” Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) is the sixth largest school district in the nation and the second largest in the state of Florida. BCPS is Florida’s first fully accredited school system since 1962. BCPS has more than 271,500 students and approximately 175,000 adult students in 234 schools, centers and technical colleges, and 93 charter schools. BCPS serves a diverse student population, with students representing 204 different countries and 191 different languages. To learn more, visit browardschools.com. Follow BCPS on Twitter @browardschools and Facebook at facebook.com/browardschools, and download the free BCPS app.

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BCPS 2018 School Grades Show 96 Percent of Innovative District Schools Earn an A, B or C from the State

2018 School Grades Show 96 Percent of Innovative District Schools Earn an A, B or C from the State Today, Wednesday, June 27, 2018, the Florida Department of Education released school grades for the 2017/18 school year. Overall results for Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) remain steady, with some areas of improvement.

Among the 2018 highlights:
• 96 percent of innovative District schools earned an “A,” “B” or “C.”
• 84 percent of innovative District schools maintained or increased their letter grade.
• 57 innovative District schools earned an “A.”
• 31 innovative District schools increased by one or more letter grades.
• 2 schools increased by two letter grades:
• Sunshine Elementary School increased to an “A” in 2018, from a “C” in 2017.
• Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Montessori Academy increased to a “C” in 2018, from an “F” in 2017.
• Only one innovative District school received an “F.”
• Overall, BCPS earned a District grade of “B” for the fifth year in a row, narrowly missing an “A” designation by two percentage points. The District’s overall grade also includes the performance of charter schools.

“Our School Board Members and I appreciate the tremendous work and dedication of our teachers, school leaders, students, families, staff members and our entire Broward community,” said Superintendent Robert W. Runcie. “We know this has been a difficult school year for our entire community and remain committed to meeting the needs of students and families and providing a high-quality education.”

School grades are based on a variety of factors, including results from the Florida Standards Assessments and End of Course exams, levels of achievement, learning gains, industry certifications earned and graduation rates.

For more information on 2018 school grades, visit http://www.fldoe.org/accountability/accountability-reporting/school-grades/.

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ABOUT BROWARD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
“Committed to educating all students to reach their highest potential.”
Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) is the sixth largest school district in the nation and the second largest in the state of Florida. BCPS is Florida’s first fully accredited school system since 1962. BCPS has over 271,000 students and approximately 175,000 adult students in 236 schools, centers and technical colleges, and 93 charter schools. BCPS serves a diverse student population, with students representing 208 different countries and 181 different languages. To learn more, visit browardschools.com. Follow BCPS on Twitter @browardschools and Facebook at facebook.com/browardschools, and download the free BCPS mobile app.

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Broward County Public Schools Brings Referendum to August Primary Ballot

In an effort to address the lack of funds from the Florida Legislature for school safety officers (school resource officer) and teacher and school-related staff compensation, Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) seeks a 1/2 mill referendum on the August 28, 2018, primary election ballot.

The District’s “Secure the Next Generation,” initiative is necessary to help fill the huge financial gap left by the Legislature, which only appropriated a 47-cent increase per student funding for the 2018/19 school year, leaving Broward County with the second lowest funding increase in the state. Monies raised from the referendum would be used to hire additional school resource officers and security staff, increased teacher and school support staff compensation for retention, as well as for expanding educational opportunities for students.

The mill rate is the amount per $1,000 of an assessed property value and is used to determine the amount of property tax. The proposed 1/2 mill increase equates to an estimated $10 per month for homeowners with an average home value of $240,000, and an estimated $5 per month for condo owners with an average condo value of $130,000 (with a homestead exemption). Even with the addition of a 1/2 mill, Broward County still has one of the lowest millage rates among large school districts in Florida.

During the Tuesday, June 27, 2018, School Board meeting, the Board unanimously voted on an agenda item with recommendations to allocate funds generated by the referendum as follows: 72 percent or more of all available funds would be used for compensation of teachers and school-related staff (including bus drivers, assistants and food service workers); up to 20 percent for security (including school resource officers and security staff); up to eight percent for essential programs in our schools (such as additional guidance counselors, social workers and behavioral staff).

Like all school districts in Florida, BCPS is required to comply with the new Florida law, Senate Bill 7026, which now requires every school to have a school safety officer. The state legislature did not include or provide a way for school districts to fully fund the extra expenses for compensation and benefits associated with this increased staffing.

Although voters passed the SMART bond initiative in 2014, those funds cannot be used for operating expenses or salaries and, instead, are strictly earmarked for desperately needed capital improvements and maintenance. Under the SMART bond program, single point of entry is enhanced and accelerated Districtwide. Additionally, more than 1,100 facilities projects are currently underway, 83,000 new computer devices have been placed in classrooms ahead of schedule, and more than 50,000 musical instruments have been provided to students.

“This referendum is critical to the success of our students moving forward,” said BCPS Superintendent Robert W. Runcie. “This initiative is designed to help us provide additional security for our students, while also keeping great teachers in our schools, so they don’t leave our District for higher paying jobs in other communities.”

To learn more about the “Secure the Next Generation,” initiative and the 1/2 mill referendum, visit browardschools.com/secure. To view the agenda item, visit: http://bcpsagenda.browardschools.com/agenda/01462/Item%20BB-2%20(51092)/index.html

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Edward Snowden discloses U.S. government operations

Year: 2013

Month Day: June 06

On June 6, 2013, Americans learned that their government was spying broadly on its own people.

That’s when The Guardian and The Washington Post published the first of a series of reports put together from documents leaked by an anonymous source. The material exposed a government-run surveillance program that monitored the communications records of not just criminals or potential terrorists, but law-abiding citizens as well.

Three days later the source unmasked himself as Edward Snowden, a National Security Agency contractor. But the question remained: Was he a whistleblower or a traitor?

In the wake of the 9/11 attacks and the perceived need for heightened national security, the U.S. government relaxed its rules around surveillance. The first story published in The Guardian revealed that the NSA was collecting and monitoring the telephone records and the texts of citizens. Days later, The Washington Post and The Guardian reported that the U.S. government was tapping into the servers of nine Internet companies, including Apple, Facebook and Google, to spy on people’s audio and video chats, photographs, emails, documents and connection logs, as part of a surveillance program called Prism. Later articles revealed that the government was even spying on leaders of other countries, including Germany’s Angela Merkel.

In the same month, Snowden was charged with theft of government property, unauthorized communication of national defense information and willful communication of classified communications intelligence. Facing up to 30 years in prison, Snowden left the country, originally traveling to Hong Kong and then to Russia, to avoid being extradited to the U.S.

In the wake of the leak, President Obama assigned two five-person teams to investigate the nation’s surveillance policy. The result: several new laws and regulations were enacted to limit things like how long U.S. citizens’ data could be held or how data accidentally collected on Americans through the surveillance of foreigners could be used. While the changes resulted in greater transparency, many experts say the regulations improved the surveillance practices only slightly and did not address the question of invasion of privacy.

“From a big-picture analysis, there’s been a lot of developments without a whole lot of movement… These reforms just feel like gestures,” Elizabeth Goitein, co-director of the Brennan Center for Justice’s program on liberty and national security, told PBS’ Frontline.

Since the first leak from Mr. Snowden, journalists have released more than 7,000 top-secret documents, but some think that’s only a fraction of the entire archive. It’s unclear exactly how many he downloaded, but intelligence officials testified in 2014 that he accessed 1.7 million files.

In July 2013, a petition was started to have Snowden pardoned, but the government rejected it in 2015. Lisa Monaco, then-President Obama’s Advisor on Homeland Security and Counterterrorism, said Snowden should return home to be “judged by a jury of his peers—not hide behind the cover of an authoritarian regime,” and stop “running away from the consequences of his actions.”

In 2017, Moscow extended Snowden’s right to asylum until 2020. He released a memoir, Permanent Record, in 2019.

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Update Regarding Two Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Campus Monitors

Broward County Public Schools Superintendent Robert W. Runcie recommended during today’s (Tuesday, June 26, 2018) School Board Meeting that two campus monitors from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, who were previously reassigned to administrative (non-school) locations, be withdrawn from the G-3 School Board Item regarding Personnel Recommendations for Non-Instructional Appointments, Reappointments and Leaves for the 2017/18 and 2018/19 School years.

See the link below to the School Board item (Third Memo to Revise), which was approved by the School Board during its meeting today.

http://bcpsagenda.browardschools.com/agenda/01462/Item%20G- 3%20(51126)/index.html

No further information is available.

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Superintendent's Report During the June 26, 2018 School Board Meeting

Tuesday, June 26, 2018

Broward County Public Schools continues to address issues that have been raised since February 14. While at different stages of progress, these interval reviews, some of which were activated shortly after the tragedy, remain active and ongoing at this time. These reviews are about fact-finding so the District can identify where to make effective change for the better.

“I think it’s important for all of us to remember that Nikolas Cruz is responsible for this tragedy. This level of violence is a national problem that school districts across the country are dealing with. Now is the time for us to all come together and stay focused on finding solutions. We are committed to making this system better.” Superintendent Robert W. Runcie

Today, the Superintendent provided the following updates during the regular School Board Meeting.

Director, School Safety and Security – April Schentrup

On the June 26, 2018 School Board meeting agenda, Superintendent Runcie recommended and the School Board approved April Schentrup’s new role as the task-assigned Director, School Safety and Security. The responsibilities include:

Helping to implement updated safety and security measures, policies and procedures;
Working with the District’s Internal Auditor to build a new audit program for school-level compliance with student code of conduct/discipline policy;
Conducting school safety and security compliance visits and reviews;
Serving as a liaison and district representative for external task forces and work groups focused on school safety and security;
Assisting in developing applications for grants and third party funding for safety and security measures; and
Assisting the Superintendent in communications efforts with schools and the community on safety and security topics; and
Reporting safety and security concerns and issues to the Superintendent for follow up.

“I welcome April’s experience and insights as a school principal. Her perspective and voice will help inform and advise our efforts to make our schools safer. I share her passion and dedication for doing everything we can to improve our policies, procedures and systems.” Superintendent Robert W. Runcie

Independent Review of Nikolas Cruz’s Educational Journey in Broward County Public Schools

The District requested an independent review of the collaborative services associated with Nikolas Cruz and his time in the District since early childhood. In March, the Superintendent committed to making this report public in June 2018. However, the District’s first attempt to release the report last week was blocked by Mr. Cruz’s lawyers.
The District’s legal team made a second attempt by asking the courts for guidance on how to release this report. Mr. Cruz’s lawyers are again attempting to block the District from releasing the report. The District’s legal team continues to push for a quick resolution in order to make this report public. The Superintendent and School Board Members firmly believe the public has a right to review the report.

Other reviews in process include:

SESIR REPORTING

A state audit of the District’s reporting of violations of the law or conduct breaches, has verified no systemic reporting issues exist. However, the District is reviewing a few anomalies that were identified and is assessing how to resolve those.

SECURITY AND SAFETY PRACTICES AND PROTOCOLS

The District engaged Safe Havens International, Inc. (Safe Havens) to provide independent security and risk assessment consultant services for Broward County Public Schools. The consultants will also review safety and security protocols, which includes the roles of campus monitors, school safety officers, security specialists and the School Resource Officer program.

DISCIPLINE RECORDS REVIEW

This is to ensure that, across the District, staff is consistent and in compliance with protocols and policies for managing student disciplinary incidents. When the 2018/19 school year begins, school audits will now include a review of compliance with our student code of conduct and discipline policies.

POST RESPONSE REVIEW

The District is in the process of assessing how the school administration, safety staff and faculty responded during and after this tragedy.

The State Attorney’s Office will not allow the District to view video recorded by our system of the incident, which we need to see in order to determine what took place with the safety and security staff on the campus.
Legal counsel continues to seek the release of this video so that we can move forward with our internal reviews.

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ABOUT BROWARD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
“Committed to educating all students to reach their highest potential.” Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) is the sixth largest school district in the nation and the second largest in the state of Florida. BCPS is Florida’s first fully accredited school system since 1962. BCPS has more than 271,500 students and approximately 175,000 adult students in 234 schools, centers and technical colleges, and 93 charter schools. BCPS serves a diverse student population, with students representing 204 different countries and 191 different languages. To learn more, visit browardschools.com. Follow BCPS on Twitter @browardschools and Facebook at facebook.com/browardschools, and download the free BCPS app.

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Terrorist gunman attacks Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, Florida

Year: 2016

Month Day: June 12

As Latin music blared inside Pulse, one of Orlando’s biggest nightclubs on June 12, 2016, a gunman forced his way inside and opened fire on the predominantly gay crowd. In the end, 49 people were dead and dozens more injured, in what was, at the time, the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history.

When the gunman, 29-year-old Omar Mateen of Fort Pierce, Florida entered the club with an AR-15-type assault rifle and a handgun, the nearly 300 people inside were winding down their Latin-themed night of dancing. When the first shots rang out, many described not noticing, thinking the bangs were part of the songs, until people started to fall the floor and others ran in terror. Some hid in the bathrooms.

“I heard 20, 40, 50 shots,” Jon Alamo told BBC. “The music stopped.”

At 02:09, the nightclub posted on its Facebook page: “Everyone get out of pulse and keep running.”

As Mateen moved through the nightclub, he exchanged fire with the club’s security guard and, as more officers arrived on the scene, shots continued to be exchanged. Mateen then escaped to the bathroom, where he took hostages and told the police he had explosives he was ready to detonate.

While the gunman was in the bathroom, police evacuated those still on the club’s dance floor. Many tweeted or texted for help from the inside, including people trapped in the bathroom who hid in the stalls trying not to be seen. Others played dead. During the attack, Mateen called 911 to pledge allegiance to ISIS.

At the same time, officers secured the building and prepared to enter the bathroom using explosives on the outside wall of the building. At about 5 AM, the police stormed through their exploded hole, then shot and killed the Mateen.

At the time of the shooting, it was unclear if this was an act of terrorism or a hate crime. While the Mateen’s family said that he had shown anger towards two gay men kissing the week before the attack, evidence discovered in the years after the attack shows that this may have been a planned act of terrorism and may have had a different target—a Disney complex—before the Mateen got spooked by police.

Mateen had been interviewed by FBI officers twice in 2013, after making comments to coworkers about his connections to ISIS. He was questioned again in 2014 about a potential connection to Moner Mohammad Abu-Salha, an American suicide bomber who had attacked in Syria.

Seven months after the attack, Noor Salman, the Omar Mateen’s wife, was charged with obstruction of justice for making contradictory statements to the FBI, and aiding and abetting for allegedly ignoring her husband’s connections to ISIS. The FBI believed she may have known of his plan.

In March of 2018, she was found not guilty.

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Terrorists attack London Bridge

Year: 2017

Month Day: June 03

During one horrific 8-minute period on June 3, 2017, eight people were killed as a band of terrorists drove a van through a pedestrian walkway on the London Bridge. The men then exited, armed with pink steak knives, and proceeded to slash and stab people in a nearby market.

The attack was the third to take place in London in 2017.

Just minutes before 10 pm a van filled with three attackers inconspicuously crossed the London Bridge twice. When it reached the end of the bridge the second time, the van made a U-turn, mounting the pavement and mowing down pedestrians.

At the end of the bridge, the terrorists crashed into a nearby pub, where they exited with knives taped to their wrists and fake bombs strapped to their bodies. The men ran from the vehicle, slashing and stabbing through the Borough Market as they screamed “This is for Allah.” They randomly entered bars and restaurants, stabbing whoever came into their path. People tried to fight them off, throwing crates, chairs and glasses, but in the end, 48 people were injured.

By 10:15 all three terrorists had been killed by authorities.

The terrorists were found to be Khuram Shazad Butt, 27, a British citizen born in Pakistan who is believed to have been the leader of the attack; Rachid Redouane, 30, who said he was Moroccan and Libyan; and Youssef Zaghba, 22, a Moroccan-Italian man. The men are reported to have had large amounts of steroids in their system.

2017 was one of the most intense periods for terrorist attacks in England. Arrests for terrorism-linked offenses rose to a record 379 in the 12 months leading up to the attacks, an increase of 67% from the year before.

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Otto Warmbier returns from North Korean prison in a coma

Year: 2017

Month Day: June 12

On June 12, 2017 Otto Warmbier, a 22-year-old student who was taken prisoner in North Korea 17 months earlier, returned home to the United States in a comatose state. His return marked a warming of relations between the U.S. and the pariah state known for its extensive human-rights abuses, casting new attention on how North Korea treats foreigners in captivity.

After a five-day stay in the country as part of an organized adventure trip, the University of Virginia student was arrested at Pyongyang airport in January 2016 for allegedly taking a propaganda poster from his hotel room. His trial lasted just one hour, and he was sentenced to 15 years of hard labor in a North Korean prison. By March, he was in a coma.

Warmbier’s release came after North Korean officials reached out to the United States in May for an emergency meeting. The two countries put aside tensions around North Korea’s nuclear program in order to negotiate terms for setting Warmbier free. Otto was medically evacuated and flown back to Ohio, where he was greeted by his parents and a small crowd of supporters. That same night, he was brought to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.

Doctors said he suffered from cardiopulmonary arrest and was in a state of unresponsive wakefulness. They said scans showed extensive brain damage, possibly due to abuse. The North Korean authorities explained his condition by saying that he had contracted botulism and taken a sleeping pill.

A week later, Otto Warmbier was dead.

His parents released a statement saying his death was an inevitable result of “the awful torturous mistreatment our son received at the hands of the North Koreans.” But they felt bringing their son home put him at peace.

“When Otto returned to Cincinnati late on June 13th he was unable to speak, unable to see and unable to react to verbal commands. He looked very uncomfortable—almost anguished,” they wrote. “Although we would never hear his voice again, within a day, the countenance of his face changed—he was at peace. He was home and we believe he could sense that.”

A month after Warmbier’s death, American citizens were banned from traveling to North Korea.

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FACT SHEET: An Online Information Resource

To assist in providing accurate information and resources to the public regarding Broward County Public Schools operations and activities, including issues associated with the Marjory Stoneman Douglas tragedy, BCPS is providing THE FACT SHEET. In Volume II of THE FACT SHEET, learn about the District’s School Resource Officer program and new state legislative requirements regarding School Resource Officers and school safety officers for the 2018/19 school year.

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