CLAY COUNTY, Fla. – New faces will be roaming the halls as the school year starts this morning in Clay County.
The Sheriff’s Office is handling security and safety once again.
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The change went into effect on July 1, after the School Board decided to disband the district’s police force.
District police served Clay County District Schools for four years. The agency was created in response to the Marjory Stoneman Douglas shooting in Parkland and received funding through an increase in property taxes.
In 2023, the district began negotiations with the Clay County Sheriff’s Office to replace district police, and the board moved forward with the transition one day after the district police department’s contract ended.
District officers were transitioned to the sheriff’s office.
For deputies new to working in schools, Clay County Sheriff Michelle Cook told News4JAX they’ve been preparing for the change.
“It’s gonna be important that our SROs (School Resource Officers) understand their students and understand the needs of their students,” Cook said. “Yes, we are there in case of the worst case scenario, but it is also important that our deputies take every opportunity to learn the kids, earn their trust, and build relationships, long-lasting relationships that will last a lifetime for everybody.”
Clay County District Schools opened the doors to 43 schools with nearly 40,000 students and more than 5,000 employees on Tuesday.