School Safety

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School Safety

Chief of Safety and Emergency Operations: Michael Baumaister

Phone: (813) 794-7937

Administrative Assistant: Tara Nixon
Email: tnixon@pasco.k12.fl.us

Student safety in Pasco County Schools is our top priority. We have armed law enforcement or certified armed school safety guards at every school. We also have a Chief of Safety and Emergency Operations who oversees district security and works very closely with our local law enforcement partners. Each year, we update our crisis response plans and work with local law enforcement so that we are prepared to respond appropriately to a variety of emergency situations. In cooperation with the Pasco Sheriff’s Office, we maintain school safety Facebook and Twitter sites. These sites are where you can go to find the most current and accurate information in a crisis. Keep in mind that it may be in the best interests of students and staff safety for us to wait to publicize information in an emergency but it is our goal to release the most accurate information in an appropriate and timely manner.

Interested in being a School Safety Guard at one of our schools? Complete the School Safety Guard Interest Form to be contacted for our next application window.

Message from the School District to Parents and Guardians on Fortify Florida Reporting

November, 2024

We are asking for your help in guiding students on the appropriate use of Fortify Florida. This system was established after the tragedy at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School to provide an anonymous way for reporting serious threats affecting schools. The goal is to alert school officials and law enforcement swiftly so they can act to protect our community.

If a threat appears on social media and is reported through Fortify Florida, law enforcement—often including the FBI—investigates thoroughly, and, if necessary, takes action to arrest the source. When you or your child sees a post online and law enforcement or Pasco Schools has already acknowledged it, please avoid resubmitting it to Fortify Florida again. Multiple submissions for the same issue can overwhelm the system, delaying responses to new threats that may require immediate attention.

Instead, please encourage students to report any serious concerns directly to school administration or if not sure that it was reported, then report through Fortify Florida. It is best not to share unverified threats with friends or others, especially on social media, as this can cause unnecessary fear and confusion. Often, these threats come from outside our area and do not pose a local risk.

Unfortunately, there have been cases where Fortify Florida has been used inappropriately. False information or exaggerated reports can lead to serious legal consequences, including arrest and potential felony charges. Sharing or adding to viral posts to make it appear they affect a Pasco school could result in severe repercussions. Submitting false tips not only distracts from genuine emergencies but is also a criminal offense under Florida law:

"(2) It is unlawful for any person to send, post, or transmit… a writing or other record… in which the person makes a threat to… kill or do bodily harm… or conduct a mass shooting or act of terrorism." - s. 836.10, F.S.

Please talk with your child about the serious impact of making or spreading false threats. Even as a joke, this behavior can lead to life-altering consequences, including arrest, restitution, and expulsion.

Fortify Florida is a valuable tool for ensuring safety when used responsibly. Together, we can make sure this resource remains effective by using it only for credible threats and emergencies.

Thank you for your understanding and support in keeping our schools safe.

School Safety with Superintendent Legg and Sheriff Nocco

Active Threat Plan

The school district and sheriff's office continuously practice safety drills and update our safety procedures to provide the best response possible to a variety of crisis situations.

Pasco County Schools was one of the first in Florida to develop our own Active Threat Plan (ATP), which was introduced at the beginning of the 2017-2018 school year. It aligns with best practices for K-12 education as recommended by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Department of Education, Federal Bureau of Investigations, and Federal Emergency Management Agency. All of these agencies recommend some version of a strategy that involves running (evacuating), hiding in a secure place, or defending yourself as a last resort (countering), whichever response is appropriate. All of our strategies align with the most current Florida State Statutes and we frequently review and update our plans as needed.