FLEMING ISLAND – An unfortunate tragedy six years ago in Parkland sent shockwaves across the state of Florida and across the nation. Just one year after the mass shooting, the Clay County School Board voted to create and staff its police department.

It would serve Clay County District Schools for five years. 

A 4-1 vote during a school board meeting last November, with Board Member Mary Bolla dissenting, would begin the process that would effectively disband the Clay County District Schools Police Department and fold personnel and resources under the direction of the Clay County Sheriff’s Office.

Thereby ending CCSO’s five-year absence.

“The transition has been completed, and it won’t be effective until July 1. So, we are currently processing the officers from the school board police who are interested in transitioning over,” said Sheriff Michelle Cook.

The initial transition cost was projected at $1.7 million, and it ended up being a bit less. The transition budget of $1.3 million was approved by the school board and agreed upon by the Board of County Commissioners on Feb. 27.

A “cosmetic” change is the first thing that comes to mind. The transitional budget will pay for new uniforms, jackets, shirts, deputy patches, new firearms and new training for existing CCDS officers who will be under new management for the next school year.

The transition budget also includes background and psychological tests, which will largely be completed when students are away on Spring Break.

“We are actively working with the school officers and school administrators for continuity. We are working with the officers and school administrators to ensure continuity in their on-duty, on-campus duties as a law enforcement officer,” said Cook.

Cook said her transition team has yet to meet with school board members to create a working template. Until both parties talk, she doesn’t know how, or if, CCSO’s duties will differentiate from CCSDPD’s.

As School District Chief Kenneth Wagner can certainly attest, the burden of being the chief of police for 44 schools in the district is not a light one.

While there is no point in reinventing the wheel, Wagner says there are new state statutes that CCSO must be aware of since its hiatus five years ago.

CCSO said Chief Patrick Golemme will meet with Clay Today  on March 20 to map out the changes and continuities as CCSO prepares for the school year.

“He (Golemme) is extremely busy preparing for the transition. Could you imagine having the responsibility of all the schools in one county to oversee law enforcement staffing?” Abbegail Harris, the public information deputy, said.