News Cast for August 23rd:
Okeechobee schools happy with new security
New Florida laws require someone at every gate and entrance at schools across the state.
The Okeechobee School Board recently approved a contract with Centegix on a new system, they think will get help quicker.
The cost is $579,000. Each district employee gets a badge to wear around their neck and have help at the touch of a button.
Superintendent Dylan Tedders said he thinks this will sound the alarms quicker if there is a problem.
“Our classroom doors stayed locked and the hallway doors where students transfer around are not locked. The inner core of the campus is locked and that is a requirement we have followed for years.”
A new report showed 18 million people are injured at a school campus in the United States each year. 68 percent of school nurses at public schools reported they have dealt with a life-threatening event in the past year.
Tedders said response times are essential in medical and other calls.
“God forbid there is an active shooter on campus. You now have something hanging around your neck that you can notify people that it is an unsafe situation.”
New data show there is only a 10 percent survival rate for those that suffer heart attacks at schools across the nation.
The organizers of Swamp Fest in Indiantown continue to complain about the permitting process.
They were upset the Martin County Sheriffs Office was on hand and on banning the sale of alcohol, stopping loud music at 10 pm and a lack of parking.
They claim the village had private property owners put up no trespassing signs to interfere with the event.
Daryl Holmes says residents have rights and should be able to go on private property if they want to.
Holmes said a property owner told him that putting up the signs was something they should do because if something happened on their property they could be sued.
“At the very least that is coercion, but it is also bullying.”
Kimberly Jackson Brown said they will go to court and fight these restrictions.
“We were targeted. We need some apologies. We need somebody to stand up and take accountability.”
A 2022 audit found the Glades County schools paid some employees for things they weren’t entitled to be paid for.
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Beth Barfield said past administrators had negligent practices, and overlooked mistakes without making corrections.
Janet Davis, said the group of educators that received payments worked more hours than the district paid and have been long time dedicated employees.
Okeechobee Brahman football tonight as they play the regular season opener at home versus DeSoto County.
The team will be honored veterans before the opening kickoff.
Festivities start at 6:45 pm.