The security and well-being of students, staff and visitors to our campuses is Alachua County Public Schools’ top priority. The district has many policies, procedures and plans in place to promote safety and security.

Each school has a crisis plan that takes into account such factors as grade level of the students, location and layout of the campus. The plans were developed in conjunction with law enforcement and are reviewed and updated every year.

In partnership with local law enforcement, school resource officers are assigned to each of our elementary, middle and high schools. In addition to promoting enhanced security on campus, these specially-selected and trained officers are able to build a rapport with students that can help prevent violence and other problems before they occur.

State law requires that staff and all students receive active threat training each school year and that age-appropriate threat drills be conducted monthly. Alachua County Public Schools uses the ‘I Love U Guys' program, which is used in tens of thousands of schools and other organizations and agencies throughout the world.  More information about the program is available at iloveuguys.org.

Schools also conduct regular drills for fire, severe weather and other emergencies. In the case of an actual emergency, parents may receive an automated phone call/email from either the school or the district with more information. For this reason, it’s critical that your child’s school has a current phone number and email address (if available) for you.

The district and/or individual schools will often send out a text message regarding emergencies, school closings or other situations on campus. If you would like to receive these messages, you must opt-in to the School Messenger texting system. To do so, text ‘y’ or ‘yes’ to 67587 from a phone on file with your child's school.

Multiple security cameras are located at every school. The district is also constantly upgrading school facilities to enhance security.

A visitor management software system called Raptor is in place at ACPS schools. All visitors to campus—including parents, vendors and volunteers—will be asked to provide a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license, which will be scanned to screen for registered sex offenders. A visitor’s badge will then be issued.

Any student, educator, parent or member of the public can report school safety concerns directly to law enforcement and school administrators anonymously through the FortifyFL app or www.getfortifyfl.com. The free app is available for download on Apple and Android mobile devices.

For more information about the district's school safety and security program, visit www.sbac.edu/security.