House Committee Approves Security Funding for Non-Public Schools

On Monday, December 9, James Herzog, FCCB associate director for education, testified on behalf of HB 2565 (Bush III) regarding security funding for non-public K-12 schools that participate in state scholarship programs. The $1 million appropriation will help bolster what schools are already doing to protect children by hardening the physical security of their campuses. Potential improvements include the installation of bulletproof glass, perimeter fencing, gates and locks, visitor screening, and security cameras. HB 2565 passed the House PreK-12 Appropriations Subcommittee unanimously.

Catholic schools are the largest non-public school system in the state. There are over 85,000 students at 244 Catholic schools across Florida. Nearly 90% of Catholic schools in Florida participate in at least one scholarship program.