Brevard Public Schools Board Votes to Approve Expansion of Guardian Program

Published on

- Advertisement -

Editors note: Despite the School District informing the public yesterday that this item would be pulled and heard later at the June 25th meeting, it was still voted on.

- Advertisement -

[Brevard County, FL] [June 11, 2024] – This morning, the Brevard Public School Board voted in favor of the expansion of our Sheriff Training On Site Marshall Program (S.T.O.M.P.) to include district personnel who meet specific qualifications to serve as Guardians.  Safety is Brevard Public Schools (BPS) number one priority for all students and staff, and the inclusion of Guardians to supplement our School Resource Officers and School Security Specialists, will further support our mission to serve every student with excellence as the standard. 

The expansion allows employees the opportunity to apply to be a school-based guardian. The program is voluntary and only employees who are not assigned to a classroom, and as outlined in the terms of their Brevard Federation of Teacher bargaining contract, may volunteer and/or qualify. 

- Advertisement -

All employee volunteers who qualify for, and are accepted into, the S.T.O.M.P. program will undergo employment vetting, and must successfully complete the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office S.T.O.M.P training requirements before completion. Employee volunteers who advance, will have no law enforcement authority in any capacity, except in the extent necessary to prevent or stop an active assailant incident at any Brevard Public School’s site.

BPS Superintendent Dr. Mark Rendell noted: “This is an additional layer of security for our schools.  While this program is new to Brevard, it is not new to Florida as numerous other districts have had Guardians in schools for several years. The individuals who will be in the program are not classroom teachers or other positions that are part of the instructional staff covered by the teacher contract.  All Guardians will have to go through the same screening process and intensive training that is required by our School Safety Specialists.  I am thankful that we have employees who are willing to volunteer to serve in these positions.  I am also grateful for the strong partnership we have the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office which provides such rigorous training.”

- Advertisement -

S.T.O.M.P. was formed by the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO), in partnership with Brevard Schools, following the tragic events which occurred at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on February 14, 2018. In accordance with the 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act (Florida Senate Bill 7026), S.T.O.M.P. was developed and has served as our program which oversees all School Resource Officers and Security Specialists within Brevard Public Schools sites. 

Training is currently slated to begin July 2024, through collaboration with the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office. 

For requests regarding further information on S.T.O.M.P. training, please contact the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office. For media inquiries or further information regarding BPS’ role in S.T.O.M.P., please contact: [Ryan Dufrain] [Assistant Superintendent to Human Resources] [321-633-1000 ext. 11200] [dufrain.ryan@brevardschools.org]

- Advertisement -

Criminal Defense
Bankruptcy · Evictions

WICKS LAW P.A.

Call or text for
free consult

321-733-2700

Eric Wicks, Esq.

1250 West Eau Gallie Blvd. G
Melbourne, FL 32935

Abogado Wicks habla español

Attorney Eric Wicks, Wicks Law P.A., Melbourne Florida

Upcoming Events

More like this

Matt Susin Calls Special Meeting to Shield Superintendent Who Quit Mid-Year With Investigations Pending, Waiving His Notice and Releasing Him From Every Claim

There appears to be no record Rendell gave the board the notice his contract required. Within 24 hours of his announcement, a separation agreement was drafted and a special meeting noticed for 9 a.m. Tuesday, a week before two new members are sworn in.

FloridaCommerce Activates Business Damage Assessment Survey to Measure Impact of Damage Caused by the 2026 Fall Flooding

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Today, FloridaCommerce and the State Emergency Response Team (SERT) activated the Business Damage...

DeSantis Declares State of Emergency for Brevard, 6 Counties

TALLAHASSEE / BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency...