Ormond Beach Elementary Principal Shannon Hay participates in the training event on Monday, June 15. Photo courtesy of Volusia County Schools
The district hosted a school safety and reunification training on Monday, June 15. Photo courtesy of Volusia County Schools
The district hosted a school safety and reunification training on Monday, June 15. Photo courtesy of Volusia County Schools
The Volusia Sheriff's Office participated in a school safety and reunification training on Monday, June 15. Photo courtesy of Volusia County Schools
The district hosted a school safety and reunification training on Monday, June 15. Photo courtesy of Volusia County Schools
Max Schachter, founder and executive director of Safe Schools for Alex, speaks during a school safety and reunification training on Monday, June 15. Photo courtesy of Volusia County Schools
Volusia County School Board member Jamie Haynes; Max Schachter, founder and executive director of Safe Schools for Alex; Superintendent Carmen Balgobin; and School Board Chair Ruben Colon. Photo courtesy of Volusia County Schools
Volusia County Schools hosted a school safety and reunification training on Monday, June 15.
The full-day training at DeLand High School brought local law enforcement, school administrators and community partners together with safety technology to enhance preparation on the tools and protocols needed in the event of a crisis event. According to a press release, the training also featured Max Schachter, founder and executive director of Safe Schools for Alex.
Schachter lost his son Alex during the 2018 school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. Since then, he has dedicated his life to advancing school safety nationwide, working alongside members of Congress, federal agencies and multiple presidential administrations to strengthen school safety policies at every level.
Through his nonprofit, Safe Schools for Alex, Schachter equips school districts and law enforcement agencies with up-to-date safety best practices and resources.
"The safety and security of every student and staff member in Volusia County Schools is our number one priority," Superintendent Dr. Carmen Balgobin said. "We don't wait for the conversation to come to us. We lead it. Volusia County Schools has always been a trailblazer when it comes to school safety, and this training is another example of our commitment to constantly raising the bar. We are equipping our staff with the best tools, the best training, and the best partners available anywhere in the country. Our families deserve nothing less."
The Volusia Sheriff's Office and Raptor Technologies were part of the training event, which addressed prevention and response protocols as well as reunification.
