CRAWFORDVILLE, FL (August 2025) — Wakulla County Schools is reinforcing its commitment to student safety by expanding its participation in the Florida Guardian Program, a proactive effort that places highly trained safety personnel on every school campus across the district.
Compliant with Florida State Statute 1006.12, every Wakulla County School is staffed with at least one School Safety Officer—either a School Resource Officer (SRO) or Guardian. Wakulla High School now has two Guardians and an SRO to provide layered protection. WCS Guardians are not traditional school employees; they are specially hired professionals who have completed a minimum of 144 hours of intensive training focused on firearms proficiency, defensive tactics, legal protocols, and active shooter scenarios.
“As a certified Guardian myself, I am personally committed to ensuring the safety of every student in Wakulla County Schools,” said Superintendent Rick Myhre. “I’ve completed the same rigorous training as our Guardians and know firsthand how prepared they are to respond when needed. Our partnership with WCSO equips us to provide the highest level of protection so our staff and students can focus on learning and growing in a safe environment.”
On August 1, 2025, the district welcomed three new Guardians to its Safety Team—John Swanson, Jeff Matson, and newly appointed Director of Safety and Student Conduct Coleman Wells—bringing the total to eight Guardians across district campuses in addition to SROs. Certified by WCSO instructors Captain Scott Rojas, Lt. Boonie Mitchell, and other expert trainers, the new Guardians qualified in handguns, rifles, single-officer active assailant response, breaching doors, and coordinated multi-officer response tactics. In addition to firearms instruction, participants must pass psychological evaluations, drug screenings, and complete ongoing requalification and inspections to remain certified and ready.
“The Wakulla County Sheriff's Office is proud to partner with and provide Guardian training in coordination with the Wakulla County School District,” said Sheriff Jared Miller. “By working closely with Superintendent Myhre, we’re ensuring our schools are safer through teamwork, preparation, and a shared commitment to protecting our students and staff.”
The Wakulla County Schools Guardian Program, in close partnership with local law enforcement, reflects a unified effort to protect what matters most—our children.
For more information about Wakulla County Schools safety initiatives, visit https://www.wakullaschooldistrict.org/page/school-safety-and-student-conduct
For more information about Florida Department of Education Guardian Program visit https://www.fldoe.org/safe-schools/guardian-program.st