School District of Lee County staffers who are approved and trained will served as an armed “force multiplier” inside public schools in case of emergency.

The School Board of Lee County approved a Guardian Program Tuesday night to provide additional security and safety on school campuses.

“I am going to support this, but I do have concerns. I have reservations about security overall when I vote for the Guardian Program,” Board member Cathleen Morgan said.

Student and staff safety is a district priority and Morgan added that she understands the community expects them to use all tools available.

“I think that people think screening and other enhancements will keep trouble out of our schools. Infrastructure plans are not being matched. I am worried focusing on guns and screening is creating an artificial sense of security making things complacent. We know that children are undone with what is happening on social media. I am just worried that by saying we have done these things we are taking our eyes off of what we need to do at schools every single day,” Morgan said. “The point I am trying to make, all this emphasis on guardians and guns, to me, does not do enough in terms of addressing whether or not children feel safe.”

Superintendent Dr. Christopher Bernier said school safety is about a climate and culture. He said principals and staff are working with students to share that everyone is responsible.

“We have to teach that responsibility to our youngest citizens,” Bernier said.

There was some pushback from the public, as a few individuals shared their concern over the program, asking the board not to move forward with the policy.

Dave Montrose, a parent and teacher, said staff was never asked if they think a Guardian Program should be implemented. He said when looking at an actual shooting that has taken place, the person has previously gone to school, or currently attends the school, which gives them an insight of the procedures of where to go, who to target and how to have an effect.

“If the schools locked the doors, you have erased 100 percent of the problem. We don’t need to put more guns (in school), especially with the unknown. Think of the safety of kids. No more guns in the schools. Vote no,” he said.

Lee County Sheriff’s Office Commander Mike Miller, who oversees the School Resource Officers, spoke during the public hearing Tuesday night. He told the board that Sheriff Carmine Marceno and the entire Lee County Sheriff’s Office fully supports the program.

“Lee County training cadre is bar none,” he said, adding that the training is the best in the state and the office will be responsible for training the volunteer guardians.

Miller said they are well prepared, all ready, and looking forward to it.

The Guardian Program as approved requires a 160-hour training block, which is more than the 144 hours that are state mandated.

The guardians will also have shoulder-to-shoulder training with SROs during their quarterly active assailant shooter training.

“Once they are trained and placed in the school, (they will be) well ready to safeguard any school and react to an active assailant,” Miller said. “Out of 67 counties, 46 have the Guardian Program. It’s not a brand-new program, but new to us. We want to make sure we offer the best training that we can offer that money can buy.”

Bernier said the start of the program will begin slowly with a small group of people.

Before the board voted unanimously, Board Member Debbie Jordan asked a few questions that the community sent to her. Among the first addressed was liability and accountability of those chosen to be guardians in the event of mishaps.

Bernier said with guardians being employees of the school district, they have the same accountability. He said there is accountability for them, and the Sheriff”s Office as to individuals following proper training and procedures.

Board Attorney Kathy Dupuy-Bruno said the district faces liability every single day. The best thing that the district can do, she said, is mitigate it and reduce it as much as possible.

That has been attempted in working closely with the Sheriff’s Office, as well as having training, part of which will be done at the police academy, above the mandated amount, Dupuy-Bruno said. There will also be additional procedures that will support the policy including background checks, psychological tests and drug testing for candidates.

Once training has been completed and a certification received, the superintendent will decide whether to appoint an employee candidate as a Guardian. His decision will be final.

“The superintendent will have a say in who to move forward. There are a lot of safety nets that will help mitigate any risk the district has,” she said. “The liability falls on the district, the Sheriff’s Office and individuals, if they do not adhere to safety and protocols that are taught. If they do not pass the safety, they will not move forward to a recommendation.”

If there are any violations of the safety protocols and expectations, disciplinary actions could include termination, Dupuy-Bruno said.

If they are “not following the expectations of the Sheriff’s Office and safety and security, there will be significant consequences,” she said.