Florida Department of Education hosts second annual national summit to share best practices and strengthen school safety across the country

Tallahassee, Florida – Education leaders, law enforcement officials, policymakers, and school safety specialists from Florida and 19 other states gathered this week for the Florida Department of Education’s second annual National Summit on School Safety. The three-day event, hosted in collaboration with the Florida Education Foundation, offered a platform for experts to share strategies, examine best practices, and highlight Florida’s nationally recognized model for school safety. Families of the victims of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School tragedy were also present, adding a deeply meaningful and powerful perspective to the discussions.

The Summit underscored Florida’s commitment to ensuring students and staff are safe on campus. Attendees explored innovative approaches that combine preparation, coordination, and community partnerships to address evolving safety challenges. Sessions covered a range of topics, from emerging threats in schools nationwide to the role of emergency management and law enforcement in creating secure learning environments.

One of the event’s highlights was the recognition of John Newman as the 2026 School Safety Specialist of the Year. Newman serves as Chief of Security and Emergency Management for Hillsborough County Public Schools and has been a key member of the district’s security team since 2014. Before his work in education, Newman dedicated 29 years to the Tampa Police Department, where he built a distinguished career in public safety. In 2023, Governor DeSantis appointed him to the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Public Safety Commission, a role that emphasizes his expertise and trusted leadership in school safety.

“Florida continues to lead the nation with innovative policies that safeguard our schools, students and staff. I am grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with partners across the country to share Florida’s approach to school safety,” said Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas. “Congratulations to Chief Newman on being named this year’s School Safety Specialist. With more than 40 years of experience in law enforcement and emergency management, he has made a profound and lasting impact on school safety in Florida.”

State Board of Education Chair Ryan Petty also addressed the summit, emphasizing the ongoing importance of strengthening school safety policies. “I am proud that Florida continues to strengthen policies that improve school safety, with the belief that this work is never finished,” Petty said. “This Summit provided an important opportunity for school safety specialists to deepen their expertise and learn from Florida’s model, helping to further protect campuses nationwide. Our shared goal is to ensure that no family has to experience the pain we endure as the families of the victims of Marjory Stoneman Douglas.”

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Florida Division of Emergency Management Executive Director Kevin Guthrie highlighted the critical role of preparation and collaboration. “School safety starts with preparation, coordination and strong partnerships. In Florida, we take an all-hazards approach, working alongside educators, law enforcement and community partners to ensure every school is prepared, protected and resilient. This is about safeguarding our future and ensuring every student can learn in a safe environment.”

The Summit opened with remarks from Commissioner Kamoutsas, setting a collaborative tone for three days of discussions on safety innovation and partnership. A keynote address from the United States Secret Service offered expert insights into identifying and preventing potential threats in schools. Other sessions explored Florida’s evolving safety landscape, highlighted the importance of partnerships with emergency management, and addressed national trends and challenges in school safety.

A student-led panel closed the Summit, emphasizing the voices of those most directly affected by school safety policies. Students shared their perspectives, experiences, and ideas, reinforcing the central focus of the event: creating secure environments where every child can learn without fear. The panel underscored the message that safety is not solely the responsibility of administrators or law enforcement but requires the engagement and input of students, families, and the broader community.

The Summit also highlighted the achievements of Florida’s school safety initiatives, including comprehensive threat assessment protocols, emergency response training, and partnerships with local law enforcement agencies. By inviting leaders from across the nation, Florida demonstrated its commitment to sharing successful strategies and encouraging collaborative efforts to improve campus safety on a national scale.

The presence of the families affected by the Marjory Stoneman Douglas tragedy added a poignant reminder of why school safety remains a priority. Their participation reinforced the urgency of developing policies, systems, and practices that protect students and provide communities with confidence in their schools’ preparedness.

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The event offered attendees the chance to network, exchange ideas, and learn from national experts while gaining a deeper understanding of Florida’s model for safety innovation. Through workshops, panels, and keynote sessions, participants left with actionable strategies to implement in their districts, furthering the nationwide effort to make schools safer for every student.

Florida’s second annual National Summit on School Safety continues the state’s role as a national leader in student protection, showing that innovation, collaboration, and community engagement are essential to creating secure learning environments. For more information on Florida’s school safety initiatives, visit Safe Schools.