Seventh Judicial Circuit State Attorney R.J. Larizza, in partnership with Flagler Schools Superintendent LaShakia Moore, Putnam County School District Superintendent Dr. Rick Surrency, St. Johns County School District Superintendent Tim Forson and Volusia County Schools Superintendent Dr. Carmen Balgobin, announce the launch of “Safety First, Success Always.” The initiative was created to help better address substance use (vaping/THC/fentanyl) and violence (fighting/threats/guns), which are happening in our schools and communities throughout the circuit.
For almost a year, the five 7th Circuit leaders and members of their staff have been working on a proactive, collaborative approach that focuses on three pillars: Education, Awareness and Accountability. Stakeholder meetings also took place in May, with parents and students from each school district giving their feedback.
The following is a breakdown of the initiative’s three pillars:
*Education: All four school districts will implement circuitwide curriculum on substance use and violence in the five hours of “Character and Life Skills through Resilience Education,” which is required to be provided monthly to public-school students in grades six-12. A video component from State Attorney Larizza will also be included, which will teach students about the consequences they could face if they break the law. Additionally, assembly presentations will be brought to all school levels circuitwide in an effort to be more proactive and give some early education about substance use and violence to younger students.
*Awareness: Public-service-announcement videos regarding substance use and violence will be distributed by the school districts into the community and the state attorney’s office to raise awareness of risks and consequences.
*Accountability: All four school districts have identified circuitwide, age-appropriate and meaningful consequences and a required education component related to substance use and violence that will be applied consistently through each district’s Student Code of Conduct.
“We are excited to announce this Seventh Circuit initiative, which is a first of its kind in Florida,” the group said in a joint statement. “Safety is our top priority. It is critical we partner together to create a strong response to substance and violence. We are confident the “Safety First, Success Always” initiative will change the script from substance use and violence to empowering our students and community to help us foster a safe environment for success.”
As the 7th Circuit initiative gets underway during the 2024-25 school year, the school districts and State Attorney’s Office will be looking to include other circuit leaders who can aid them in accomplishing the three pillars.
