The top priorities for the 2018-2019 school year for Miami-Dade County Public Schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho is safety and security.
As 1,000 school buses rolled out to pick up students and police officers stood guard at all 389 Miami-Dade County public schools on Monday, Carvalho said no effort was spared.
While he handed out breakfast and coffee to school bus drivers during a back-to-school event, Carvalho told NBC 6 that the county is "ready to go."
Carvalho said transportation safety is a top priority. Over the summer, drivers received additional training and buses have been outfitted with GPS. There are about 1,000 bus drivers in the district.
As congestion is likely, Carvalho urges parents to remain patient on the roadways.
About 20,000 teachers will be ready to warmly greet students, Carvalho said, adding that he will make sure to repeat last year's success by assuring the district receives an A-Rating for the 2018-2019 school year.
At least one law enforcement officer has been assigned to all 389 of Miami-Dade County public schools.
As parents and children of Miami-Dade Public Schools gear up to begin a new school year, school administrators say campuses are ready and equipped to ensure safety on campus for their 350,000 students.
“Over the summer, we installed close to 15,000 high definition security cameras, guaranteeing 100 percent coverage throughout Miami-Dade, centrally linked to a command center where we have eyes on schools 24 hours a day; with a detective team that investigates any threatening message or anything that requires police action,” said Carvalho.
And as Miami-Dade Public Schools undergo renovation, as did Rockway Elementary recently, additional safety features will be installed.
“Impact glass windows, impact glass doors, they offer additional safety and security. You cannot see through them, but natural light actually penetrates into the classroom,” said Carvalho.
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Last week, the Miami-Dade Superintendent came to an agreement with the police forces and Mayors of the remaining municipalities in the county to guarantee one police officer in every school, rather than an armed guard, which is the minimum a recently passed Florida law requires.
Several police departments within the county conducted active shooter drills over the summer, as well.
“We are as ready as we possibly could be. However, the best tool of prevention actually rests with the community. Information is the best thing we can have at our disposal. So I’m asking parents, if you see something, say something. Know something, speak to us. Let us know. Call 305-995-COPS,” said Carvalho.
Placing one police officer at each of the schools will cost $20 million.
