Thread by @FloridaEA

The Senate Appropriations committee is now discussion Senate Bill 7030 which would permit the arming of teachers. We'll keep you informed on this thread. You can also watch live here: thefloridachannel.org

Sen. @SenMannyDiazJr is now introducing his strike-all amendment to the bill.

Diaz is still introducing the bill.

You can see his strike-all amendment here: flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2…

Having heard Diaz's introduction of the bill, Sen. @oscarjb2 asks the first question: "Was all of this the recommendation of the MSD Commission?"

He follows up with "Are there school districts that are already implementing the Guardian program?"

Sen. @oscarjb2 continues with his questioning, "Can you speak to the reason why the guardian program needs to be changed?"

Why do teachers need to be added to the program?

Sen. Diaz says "a lot" of districts want flexibility. He doesn't address the specific change to this bill which would allow for the arming of teachers.

Sen. @TomLeeFL asks Diaz is the bill contains ALL of the recommendations of the MSD Commission.

Diaz doesn't answer the specific question. The reason he didn't is because the answer is no--the bill leaves out MSD Committee recommendations.

One of the themes often discussed in the MSD Commission meetings was that arming teachers would be easier and "less expensive" than providing school resource officers.

On June 7, Sheriff Gualteri said, "And for most the reason why they're going to the guardian program is that it is much more cost effective...So, it is a much more economical way of accomplishing this."

On December 12, he told the committee there simply aren't enough law enforcement officers to keep schools safe, "Where are we going to get all these cops? We can't get those cops. They don't exist. We can't hire what we need now and we don't have the money."

On September 5, Sheriff Judd said, "The reality of it is, and I share this with you, if it weren't a funding issue, if it weren't a staffing issue I would love to have law enforcement officers, give me two or three on a campus. "

Senators are now asking questions of the bill's sponsor Sen. Diaz. @SenatorThurston asks, "What kind of punitive action does this bill allow to be taken" against school districts who don't follow the law.

Sen. Diaz clarifies that if school districts don't follow the law, the Commissioner of Education would be authorized to withhold the salaries of superintendents or school board members.

Sen. @darrylrouson asks if there is a supplement for teachers who volunteer to be a "guardian."

Sen. Diaz says that's a "local decision" The $500 supplement from last year's bill has been removed.

Another question from Sen. @darrylrouson, "Does the bill have protocol for a guardian who fires their weapon inappropriately."

Sen. Diaz: That's a "local decision."

Sen. @SenAudrey2eet is next in questioning, she asks, "Is there an anticipated number" of guardians in a school?

Sen. Diaz: That's a "local decision."

Diaz then goes on to say, "if you have a large school you would think logically you would need more than one guardian."

Sen. @SenAudrey2eet says, to be clear, "It could be one up to an unlimited number."

Sen Diaz: The bill does not speak to a limit on the number of guardians.

Sen. @SenMannyDiazJr speaks to the "optional" nature of the guardian program. He says "no teacher" is required to participate.

When this bill was heard in the education committee, several students testified it wasn't "optional" for them as they opposed the bill.

Sen. @LindaStewartFL asked who would provide the weapon and ammunition
to "guardians."

Sen. Diaz: "local decision"

Following the MSD Commission's report from yesterday regarding School Environmental Safety Incident Reporting (SESIR), several senators have had questions about the accuracy of schools reporting safety data.

Sen. @Book4Senate seeks to clarify that when salaries are withheld from school board members and superintendents as punishment for not following the law, that it would be for serious violations like not reporting SESIR data accurately.

The committee is now discussing amendments to the bill. Sen. @SenatorThurston's amendment would keep 7030 in line with current law by excluding teachers from the guardian program.

In discussion, Sen @TomLeeFL asks of the @SenatorThurston "Wouldn't this be only a symbolic victory?"

Sen. Thurston replies, "Quite frankly I don't think it's minor."

Sen. @SenatorThurston gives an example of how a new teacher might be pressured into being a guardian in order to keep their job, and that his amendment would keep that from happening.

Sen. @SenatorThurston, "I don't think we should be arming teachers, and I don't see any reason to change the law from last year."

Sen @kellistargel says this would allow teachers to "have the skillset" to be an officer. Let's #factcheck that:

#SB7030 requires only 8 hours of active shooter training for a “Guardian."

By comparison for a Florida teacher to obtain their reading endorsement requires 300 hours of coursework.

Furthermore, Law Enforcement Officers must undergo continuous training to use their weapons. There is no such provision for teachers who become guardians to undergo such ongoing training.

Sen. @kellistargel says that teachers who are former military members could make great guardians.

When this bill was heard in the last committee, multiple veterans who are currently teachers testified in opposition to the bill.

In further questioning, a Senator suggested that teachers need to be armed because school resource officers might not act. This ignores the reality of how school shootings have historically been stopped.

Sen. @debbie_mayfield asks @SenatorThurston, "Do you not think that the 144 hours of training is enough for someone to be a guardian?"

We'll remind you again--for a Florida teacher to obtain their reading endorsement requires 300 hours of coursework.

We are now in public comment on the @SenatorThurston amendment which would prohibit teachers from being armed. Nobody has spoken yet, but several people have waived in support of the amendment.

First to speak in favor of the amendment is Kyle Savage who is a classroom teacher and veteran of the US Armed Forces. He says, "I cannot count the number of hours of firearm training I've had...I have conducted over 20 protective service mission in the Middle East...

Savage continues, "collateral damage is not acceptable in the classroom." He says that the training requirements in the bill are not enough. He encourages the committee to work in a bipartisan way to make sure SROs are in every school.

Several more people have waived in support of the Thurston amendment which will keep teachers from being armed. There still has been nobody in opposition to the amendment (except for senators on the committee, of course).

Next up is an instructional aide from Pasco county. She responds to an earlier comment from a senator that "hunters" could be good guardians. She points out that hunters don't charge into a situation. She also worries about guardians being overpowered and having their gun taken.

The aide continues, "to be a police officer you need months of training. To be a guardian you need 'hours." She asks the committee to support the @SenatorThurston amendment.

Next to speak is Ellen Baker an 18 year high school special Ed teacher. She says, "I feel that the idea that classroom teachers could carry a gun and teach is very difficult to understand."

Baker continues, SROs are visible, but "guardians" are supposed to have a concealed weapon. She asks how can a teacher move freely around the classroom without having to worry about carrying a concealed weapon.

Baker's concern of where a teacher would conceal their gun is not just a hypothetical one. There have been dozens and dozens of mishandled guns on school campuses. Read a list here: giffords.org/2019/04/every-…

Baker continues that "arming teachers is doing school security on the cheap."

Here's what Sheriff Gualtieri had to say: "I think around the state if you looked at it, and this is a fair estimate, the average cost of a cop, a fully loaded cost is about $100,000, and I think...

think most districts are able to employ somebody in a guardian fully loaded probably somewhere for around $35,000. So, it is a much more economical way of accomplishing this."

Baker concludes, "Let's not do school security on the cheap. Let's get trained professionals in there."

Sen. @oscarjb2 says before debate starts it would be helpful for him to hear from the bill's sponsor @SenMannyDiazJr as to his thoughts on the amendment.

Chair of the committee, Senator @Rob_Bradley denies the request.

Sen. @kellistargel is first in debate on the Thurston amendment. She says, "this is a person who has gone through specific training."

#factcheck The bill requires only 8 hours of training in active shooter situations.

Next in debate is Sen. Simmons who says, "I'm not understanding the reason for the amendment." He reiterates that the guardian program is optional. Says he doesn't know of any problems the guardians have caused. Here's an example: miamiherald.com/news/article20…

Simmons also talks about the training. He runs down *almost* all of the requirements for a guardian.

The one he left out? Program participants must achieve an 85 percent pass rate on the firearms training.

Another way of saying this, of course, is that the program participants can have a 15% failure rate on the firearms training.

Here's the relevant portion of the bill.

Sen. Thurston has withdrawn his amendment. The committee is now taking up an amendment from Sen. @Kathleen4SWFL

Sen. @Kathleen4SWFL's amendment deals with mental health. You can read the full amendment here: flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2…

Sen. Montford says that's @Kathleen4SWFL's amendment is a step in the right direction.

But there is still much more that needs to be done.

Too often, guidance counselors, school psychologists, and social workers are charged with tasks such as proctoring standardized tests which prevents them from being available for meeting student needs.

The National Association of School Counselors (NASC) recommends a student ratio of 250:1. For the 2017-18 school year, the average ratio in Florida was 458:1. Approximately 1/3rd of Florida’s districts were over twice the recommended limit.

The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) recommends a student ratio of 500-700:1. For the 2017-18 school year, the average ratio in Florida was 1951:1. All but three of Florida’s districts were over twice the recommended limit.

The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) recommends a student ratio of 250:1 for general education students. When a social worker provides services to a student with intensive needs a ratio of 1:50 is suggested.

For the 2017-18 school year, the average ratio in Florida was 2003:1. All but one of Florida’s counties were over twice the recommended limit

With little discussion or debate Sen. @Kathleen4SWFL's mental health amendment has been adopted.

Having dispensed with all of the amendments to the main strike-all amendments, the committee is now listening to public input on Sen. @SenMannyDiazJr's bill.

First to speak is @NicoletSpringer from the @LWVFlorida who says, "We do not believe teachers should be in a position of law enforcement. We do appreciate many aspects of this bill, but we oppose the potion that will arm classroom teachers."

.@NicoletSpringer continues that she'd like to see an increase in the require trainings. In particular she would like to see an increase in the active shooter training. The current requirement is only 8 hours.

The next speaker is from the @FloridaPTA who says we are in favor of "all other portions of the bill" except for the provision that would allow for teachers to be armed. She says when surveyed PTA members around the state were clear they oppose this expansion of the program.

A member from Florida's retired educators is up next, she has a few questions: "Will an armed teacher be considered in the 'special risk' class of FRS?"

She tells the committee that they are hired by their constituents, not either party.

She says, regardless of political party, the majority of people she has spoken with are opposed to arming teachers.

Referencing some comments made at the last committee stop, the representative form Florida's Retired Educators says she's heard that guardians will be "anonymous" and that they'd wear "bright yellow shirts" so LEOs can identify them. She said she still needs clarity on that.

Sen. @debbie_mayfield asks, "if a teacher was armed and responsible only for protecting the students in their own classroom would that be acceptable?"

The representative from Florida's Retired Educators, responds to Sen. Mayfield, "have you asked your teachers?"

Sen. @JeffreyBrandes points out that the majority of active-shooter incidents at schools are over in less than two minutes.

He wants to know how those can be stopped since LEOs won't have time to respond that quickly. Here's what the data shows on who stops school shootings.

Next is the first person to speak in favor of the bill. Says he represents "School Board Members," but the organization he works for won't release their membership list. We don't know who he actually represents.

A @MomsDemand volunteer is the next to speak. She says, what we are NOT talking about are the dangers of guns being around children. She says Florida has the worst rate of children accessing unsecured weapons in the nation.

The volunteer references a Giffords Study which shows all the times guns have been mishandled in school. Here is that study: giffords.org/2019/04/every-…

She continues that she would fear for the life of her six year old son if he were to hug his teacher who is carrying a concealed weapon and the weapon discharging on accident.

The volunteer from @MomsDemand tells the committee that their constituents don't want this program. In particular she calls out the sponsor of the bill @SenMannyDiazJr and tells him that over 80% of people in his district oppose this bill.

The next speaker is Barbara Alper a 39-year teacher from the state of Florida. She says that if this bill passes this could increase the teacher shortage. She says that in 2011 teachers became annual contract employees.

Alper says these teachers feel coerced into taking on additional responsibilities and is worried that the guardian program won't actually be voluntary.

She points out that LEOs must take over 700 hours of training compared to 144 for guardians.

Alper continues that while she is a gun owner, and asks, "If there was someone outside my classroom do I leave my classroom to pursue the shooter, or do I stay in my room and protect my students. Either way I would be wrong."

The next speaker is Michael Anderson a faith leader with the United Methodist Church. He says as a Conference they oppose the arming of teachers. He says we are here to "protect all of God's children."

Anderson continues, "schools need more mental health professionals and counseling than they need more guns and cops."

Anderson concludes by discussing the disparate impact of school discipline on minority students and worries about the safety of minority students if teachers are armed.

Chair Bradley just read a list of people who are waiving their time to speak before the committee.

The cards were 28-2 in opposition of the bill.

With public testimony now over. Sen @SenMannyDiazJr is now closing on the amendment. Then debate will begin on the bill as amended.

In his closing, Sen. @SenMannyDiazJr says 99% of the bill is things we all agree on. But, he continues, we need a "final line of defense."

Sen. @LindaStewartFL is first to debate on the bill. She says, "my district doesn't support arming teachers. I would be happy to support this bill if we can get that language out."

Next in debate is Sen. @Book4Senate who served on the MSD School Safety Commission. She names those who lost their during the tragedy at MSD and says this bill is to that "no-one ever has to read a list that long again.."

Sen. @Book4Senate says this bill "does a lot to keep kids in our communities safe, and I know it will continue to evolve before it gets to the floor." In particular, she mentions the increased sharing of mental health & threat assessment data required in the bill.

Sen. Montford is now in debate. He says what's going on right now in schools is a mental health issue and this bill addresses this.

Sen. Montford says, "the piece that I can't embrace is that more guns on campus makes schools safer. I just can't get there."

Montford says I have walked hallways where I'm in the middle of hundreds of kids where there is getting ready to be a fight. "Quite frankly, I wouldn't want a teacher to have a gun" in that situation.

Up next in debate is Sen. Simmons again repeats that the guardian program is optional and that 45 districts have chosen not to participate.

But, as students testified the last time this bill was heard, it is not optional for the students in the schools that do participate,

Sen. Simmons says that he supports local control and is "not prepared to say" that the Senate should prevent a school district from arming their teachers if that's what they want to do.

Simmons encourages those in the communities who don't want teachers to be armed to take their concerns to the local school boards.

He says SB7030 is a "superb piece of legislation."

Up next in debate is Sen. @oscarjb2 who says that when the Guardian program was discussed last year he reminded people that the trauma experienced by those impacted by shootings happens often in the communities he represents.

Sen. @oscarjb2 continues, he looks at this from a larger perspective. That we shouldn't focus on how to prevent one incident that happened on one day, that we need to focus on overall aspects of school safety.

Sen. @oscarjb2 continues, "the kids from Marjory Stoneman Douglas came up here last week. The main thing they asked was 'Don't arm our teachers, but we're doing it anyway."

"Teachers are supposed to be a safe space--a person that keeps a safe space for them--and putting a gun into a space where a student is supposed to be safe is counterintuitive to this otherwise great bill," continues Sen. @oscarjb2

"Let's not do something that could possible make a school unsafe," continues Sen. @oscarjb2 as he mentions the previous speaker who spoke of disparate impacts of school discipline on minority students.

"By arming a person who is supposed to have a one-on-one relationship with a child, we're just not making anyone more safe." Sen. @oscarjb2 continues.

Sen. @oscarjb2 concludes, there are people who say there is "one thing" that could have kept students safe at MSD--and that one thing is arming teachers. Then Braynon says there are other "one things" that could have worked as well naming New Zealand as an example.

Sen. @oscarjb2 says the "one thing" that could be done to keep students safe is to enact meaningful gun reform.

Sen. @SenAudrey2eet refers to a recent shooting near a school in her district and says that there needs to be funding to harden schools. "Sometimes there is violence near schools that impacts schools." actionnewsjax.com/news/local/jso…

Sen. @SenAudrey2eet continues, "keeping guns from coming into schools is where we need to focus...we cannot weaponize our classrooms. We have to understand that."

Sen. @SenAudrey2eet concludes, she hopes to be able to support the bill on the floor, but would need for the arming of teachers to be removed.

Sen. @debbie_mayfield joins Sen. Simmons in saying this is an issue of "local control' as she asks her fellow committee members to support the bill.

Sen. @darrylrouson he repeats the remarks of elementary school teacher, and US Armed Forces veteran Kyle Savage who spoke earlier today, "collateral damage is not acceptable in a classroom."

Sen. @darrylrouson concludes by saying he hopes that as the bill moves to the floor that senators can work together to remove the arming of teachers from the bill.

Next in debate is Sen. @TomLeeFL who congratulates the committee members and those in the audience for the way they've conducted themselves today; he says it is "impressive."

Sen. @TomLeeFL says he thinks SB7030 has become a "proxy" for the way people feel about the 2nd amendment. He says he reserves his right to "support or oppose the bill' when it reaches the floor, but will support it today.

Last to speak before @SenMannyDiazJr closes on the bill is Chair @Rob_Bradley.

He, too, remarks on the positive tone of the debate both by the senators on the committee and those in the audience and thanks everyone for their demeanor.

Sen. @Rob_Bradley says it would be his "greatest hope in life" for thereto not be guns in classrooms, but that just isn't the reality.

@SenMannyDiazJr is now closing on the bill.

Sen. @SenMannyDiazJr also touts that the bill allows for "local control" and that it is optional for districts to participate.

So, again we'll remind everyone following the thread:

It 👏 is 👏 not 👏 optional 👏 for 👏 the 👏 students👏

And with that the bill has been reported favorably.

We will, of course, keep you informed when the bill heads to the full Senate for a vote.

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