Parents sue over implementation of school security rule

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Some parents are suing a north Florida school district, claiming it’s putting elementary school students in jeopardy with its implementation of a state law meant to bolster student safety after a high school massacre.

The lawsuit filed Thursday in state court in Jacksonville says Duval County Public Schools created special positions of armed staffers, known as “school safety assistants,” who weren’t law enforcement or previously employed at the schools.

The parents say these school safety assistants have less training than officers and no background interacting with youth.

Florida reacted to the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School massacre in February in South Florida by becoming the first state to require police or armed guards at all public schools

A schools spokeswoman says she can’t comment on pending litigation.