CHAPTER 8.00 - AUXILIARY SERVICES
8.0131 Safe and Secure Schools - School Guardian
POLICY:
I. PURPOSE:
To establish the roles, responsibilities and expectations of the Dixie District School Board and DCSO School Guardians.
II. This policy consists of the following sections:
Introduction
Goal
Requirements
General responsibilities
A. INTRODUCTION
The School Guardian positions satisfies the House Bill (HB)1473 (2018) which mandates that an armed person be assigned to each school campus to assist in ensuring the safety of students and faculty while school is in session. A School Guardian will be assigned to each school campus and can change each year. Campuses will have a School Guardian, as deemed necessary by the Dixie District School Board and the Dixie County Sherriff’s Department, as an enhancement to the current school security plan.
B. GOAL
The goal of the School Guardian is to provide security and safety services by protecting life and property while working in conjunction with school staff, Dixie District Schools/DCSO personnel, and local police/sheriff jurisdictions while providing a secure presence on our school campuses.
C. REQUIREMENTS
A School Guardian must possess a standard high school diploma, or a GED. Must possess and maintain a valid Florida Driver’s License. Must possess a Concealed Weapons Permit, complete the mandated Guardian Training class and show proficiency in handling, maintaining and utilizing a firearm. The School Guardian must pass a background check, which includes but is not limited to the following: an initial interview, fingerprinting, psychological exam, diversity training, drug screen and polygraph examination.
D. GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES
1. School Guardians will abide by the Rules and Regulations of the Dixie County Sherriff’s Office and Dixie District Schools directives.
2. School Guardians shall be familiar with the Dixie District Schools policies on school safety and the Dixie County Sherriff’s Department policies and the Code of Student Conduct.
3. School Guardians will serve to protect the schools through ongoing surveillance, the reporting of suspicious activity, and the tactical engagement of any active assailant.
4. School Guardians can only take action as a guardian on campuses of the Dixie District Schools.
5. School Guardians have the authority to activate ALICE protocols to secure a school and protect students and staff and they shall be involved in all emergency drills on campus.
6. School Guardians are not granted authority to take any law enforcement action other than against active assailants.
7. School Guardians shall cooperate with law enforcement officers when law enforcement officers are conducting official investigations on campus.
8. School Guardians shall wear the casual/ non-identifying clothing while on campus while on active duty.
9. Portable radios will be assigned to each Guardian to ensure immediate communications with school administrators. School Resource Officers, and first responders. School Guardians will maintain radio communications and will be familiar with radio communication channels.
10.School Guardians shall have clean hair that presents a neat, tidy appearance.
11.School Guardians facial hair shall be clean, neatly trimmed, and will present a professional appearance. Permission to wear beards, moustaches, and goatees may be withdrawn by the Police Chief at any time.
12.School Guardians with visible tattoos will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. The School Guardians may be required to cover any tattoo deemed inappropriate for school settings at all times at the cost of the School Guardian.
13.School Guardians are to refrain from patrolling their campus in a predictable manner.
14.School Guardians shall report out any student safety concerns to the school’s principal and/or the school’s School Resource Officer.
15.The management of student conduct is a school function. School Guardians are expected to report student misconduct to school personnel and allow school administrators to manage student conduct and administer appropriate consequences. In those instances when there is a need for intervention to protect individuals from injury (i.e., student fight), the School Guardian may intervene and shall summon a member of the school staff, and/or the School Resource Officer. The School Guardian shall report all such incidents to the school principal and/or the School Resource Officer.
16.School Guardians shall not engage in physical force against any student or other person unless the safety of the occupants of the school, students or staff are threatened.
17.If there is a need to use deadly force, the School Guardian shall immediately respond to the location of concern with the goal of the protection and preservation of life. The School Guardian shall immediately contact the School Resource Officer, or other law enforcement using their radio and relay any information pertinent for responding officers and rescue personnel.
18.A School Guardian may be requested to attend after school events and graduations, and they may provide disaster relief as needed.
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 1006.12(3) F.S.
LAWS IMPLEMENTED: 1006.12(3) F.S.
History: Adopted: June 25, 2019
Revision Date(s): June 27, 2024; January 13, 2026
Formerly: NEW
