News Summary
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has appointed Erin Huntley and reappointed Edward Pozzuoli and Linda Reiter to the Florida Virtual School Board of Trustees. These changes aim to strengthen leadership in virtual education. On the same day, three schools in Tallahassee underwent a temporary lockout due to a nearby law enforcement operation related to a suspect with active warrants. Officials clarified the nature of the lockout, ensuring the safety of students and staff while also addressing security measures in response to social media threats at Rickards High School.
Tallahassee, FL – Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has appointed Erin Huntley to the Florida Virtual School Board of Trustees, while also reappointing Edward Pozzuoli and Linda Reiter to their posts. These appointments, announced earlier this week, aim to reinforce the board’s leadership as it oversees the state’s growing virtual education landscape.
Erin Huntley, an Independent Human Resources Consultant, is notable for her leadership roles within the Republican Party of Florida, particularly as the Chair of Chairs and the Chair of the Orange County Republican Executive Committee. Huntley brings a wealth of experience to the Board, also serving on the Florida Association of Distributive Education Clubs of America Board of Advisors. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business and marketing as well as a master’s degree in education from James Madison University.
Edward Pozzuoli, a reappointed member, is the CEO and Director of Tripp Scott Law Firm and plays an active role in the Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce Steering Committee. He is also the Chairman of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society of South Florida and has experience on the Judicial Advisory Committee for the Southern District of Florida. Pozzuoli holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a juris doctor from the University of Miami.
Linda Reiter has a background as a self-employed Deaf and Hard of Hearing Specialist and has extensive experience teaching Deaf and Hard of Hearing students in Miami-Dade County Schools. Reiter currently serves as the Co-Chair of the Committee for Students who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing and has also been on the CareerSource Florida Board of Directors. She earned her bachelor’s degree in individual and family studies from Pennsylvania State University and a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling from the University of South Florida.
In unrelated news on the same day, Lincoln High School, Apalachee Elementary, and the Leon County Virtual School were placed under lockout at 10:40 a.m. as a safety precaution due to a nearby law enforcement operation. The decision for the lockout was made following a report of a domestic disturbance involving a suspect named Laddaris Small, who had threatened the victim and had active warrants for violation of probation pertaining to aggravated assault and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Authorities reported that Small had barricaded himself inside a residence when officers attempted to detain him. The Tactical Apprehension and Control Team of the Tallahassee Police Department was deployed, and Small was taken into custody at approximately 11:41 a.m. without further incident, allowing the school lockout to be cleared about an hour after it began.
For clarity, officials explained that a lockout differs from a lockdown. During a lockout, students are allowed to continue their regular class schedules, but external guests are prohibited from entering, and security presence is increased. School administrators and law enforcement thanked students and faculty for their cooperation and patience during the incident.
In a separate incident, following a social media threat regarding Rickards High School, the Leon County School District heightened security measures, deploying increased law enforcement presence as a precautionary measure. District officials reassured parents that the threat was deemed not credible, yet emphasized the importance of safety in schools and encouraged students to continue attending classes. To address ongoing safety concerns, the district has implemented AI weapons detection systems, anonymous alert systems, and enhanced patrols around school premises.
As Florida continues to adapt to changing educational needs while ensuring safety in schools, these recent developments reflect the state’s commitment to both managing its education systems effectively and ensuring a secure environment for students and staff alike.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Florida Bill Proposes Changes to High School Graduation Requirements
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Additional Resources
- Tallahassee.com: Schools Briefly Placed Under Lockout
- WTXL: Virtual Reality Equipment in Schools
- Florida Governor: Appointments to Virtual School Board
- Politico: Florida Virtual School Incident
- Tallahassee.com: Leon Schools on Alert After Threat
- Wikipedia: Florida Virtual School
- Google Search: Florida education system
