Contact:

• Dennis McFatten, Safe Schools Coordinator
• Voice: (352) 671-7274 / Internal: 56922

The primary focus of Safe Schools is to develop, implement, and administer programs designed to insure that our schools are a safe environment to learn and work in. Some of the programs in this area are listed below.

Speak Up Hotline

This is a toll free hotline designed primarily for student use to report any concerns that they may have concerning such topics as theft, violence, suicide, drugs, bullying, weapons, vandalism, and domestic abuse.  Students may also access via a texting component.  Speak Up Hotline 866-SPEAK-UP or Text SPEAKUP to 847411

Community Traffic Safety Team

This is a community organization designed to educate the public about traffic safety issues. Presently three different events are held annually through this organization designed specifically for Marion County Public Schools; “Walk Your Child To School Day” (which is traditionally held the first Wednesday in October), a mock DUI scenario (which is usually held during prom season at area high schools), and a Battle of the Belts competition (in which all area high schools are surveyed to insure seat belt usage, with the winner receiving a plaque commemorating their success).

Walk Your Child To School Day is traditionally held the first Wednesday in October.

Battle of the Belts Competition has all area high schools surveyed to insure seat belt usage, with the winner receiving a plaque commemorating their success.

A Mock DUI Scenario is usually held during prom season at area high schools.

School Environmental Safety Incident Reporting (SESIR)

There are 21 different types of incidents that if they occur on school grounds or school sponsored transportation must be reported to the Florida Department of Education. Additionally 17 of these incidents must be reported to law enforcement.

Incidents that must be reported to SESIR and are expected to be reported to Law Enforcement

• Alcohol (ALC)
• Arson (ARS)
• Battery (BAT)
• Breaking and Entering/Burglary (BRK)
• Disorderly Conduct (DOC)
• Drugs-Excluding Alcohol (DRG)
• Homicide (HOM)
• Kidnapping (KID)
• Robbery (ROB)
• Larceny/Theft (STL)
• Sexual Battery (SXB)
• Threat/Intimidation (TRE)
• Trespassing (TRS)
• Vandalism (VAN)
• Weapons Possession (WPO)
• Other Major (OMC)

Incidents that must be reported to SESIR, but may not need to be reported to Law Enforcement

• Bullying/Harassment (BHA)
• Fighting (FIT)
• Sexual Harassment (SXH)
• Sexual Offenses (SXO)
• Tobacco (TBC)

Click here to view full SESIR codes and definitions.

Law Enforcement Liaison

The Safe Schools Coordinator acts as a liaison between local law enforcement and Marion County Public Schools on any issue that may arise.

Crisis Management Plan

This is a work in progress that attempts to envision any negative man-made act that could impact our campuses, and have an effective plan to deal with these types of acts. An important component of this plan is the ability for our campuses to be able to lock down in the event of a crisis of this nature. To this end at least once annually each school is required to hold a drill to show competency in this area. This plan is modified as needed with the most recent change occurring the 2011-2012 school year.

Alarm Systems and Security Trailers

Marion County Schools utilizes a combination of intrusion alarm systems and manned security trailers to assist in securing our campuses after normal hours.