At least 19 times, employees working in the 'school support' roles that would make them eligible to carry a gun have been disciplined by the Florida Department of Education for threatening students or colleagues, hurting kids or using firearms illegally.In one case, a Miami Lakes guidance counselor threatened to shoot the administrative staff if he had a gun. In another instance, a Port Charlotte coach grabbed a teenage boy "by the arms and throat, lifted him off the floor, and repeatedly slammed him into a wall."
Tampa Bay Times reporters found the cases by downloading and searching discipline files for licensed educators in Florida. The review was not exhaustive, and did not include schools employees who are not licensed, like janitors and cafeteria workers, but who still could be armed under the proposal.
To be sure, cases like these are extremely rare, and would occur in any large-enough group of people. There are thousands of principals, assistant principals, coaches, librarians, guidance counselors and social workers in Florida’s schools. The overwhelming majority never get in trouble.
Still, opponents of the proposal say allowing thousands more guns inside schools would drastically increase the likelihood of something going wrong.
She screamed at the students before her, telling them that Jesus was at the school and that Hell is real.
She told the students Jesus wants them to quit football, basketball and the step team. She told them that by the time they got home, their parents or grandparents might have been taken in the Rapture.
She pointed at a staff member and told the students: 'Look at all these demons.' The students were scared; some were crying. Staff members ushered them out. Upset at the intrusion, the teacher called her husband.
'They are doing what you said they would do,' she told him. 'Is that what I should do, then? … Cut off their heads?' Then she went home.
We welcome readers to submit letters regarding articles and content in Orlando Weekly. Letters should be a minimum of 150 words, refer to content that has appeared on Orlando Weekly, and must include the writer's full name, address, and phone number for verification purposes. No attachments will be considered. Writers of letters selected for publication will be notified via email. Letters may be edited and shortened for space.
Email us at feedback@orlandoweekly.com.
Orlando Weekly works for you, and your support is essential.
Our small but mighty local team works tirelessly to bring you high-quality, uncensored news and cultural coverage of Central Florida.
Unlike many newspapers, ours is free – and we'd like to keep it that way, because we believe, now more than ever, everyone deserves access to accurate, independent coverage of their community.
Whether it's a one-time acknowledgement of this article or an ongoing pledge, your support helps keep Orlando’s true free press free.