CLAY COUNTY, Fla. – Four years after the Clay County School District voted to implement district school police officers following the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High, board members voted Thursday to reverse that decision and turn over school security to the Clay County Sheriff’s Office.
In 2019, the Clay County School District made it very well known they had started a new police force. One they portrayed as first-rate. There was even a property tax hike approved by voters to help fund the agency.
But now, in 2023, upon further review, the agency decided to disband the district’s police department in a 4-to- 1 vote.
Beth Clark, a board member who supported the move, said there is still the same expense to the Sheriff’s Office as there is with paying for a police force. Therefore, the tax hike is not wasted money.
Clark also says nothing as far as security would change if this happens and no one would lose their job. The officers would just be absorbed by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office.
She says everything would be moved over and there should be no additional cost to the taxpayers.
Sheriff Michelle Cook released this statement on the issue: “To the parents of Clay County students, I want to emphasize that our children’s safety will continue to be our top priority. If the decision is made to transfer responsibilities to the Sheriff’s Office, we are fully prepared to work closely and collaborate with the Clay County School District to ensure a seamless transition.”
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