FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
     
    S
      
    TATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
     
    T. WILLARD FAIR,
    Chairman
    Members
    DONNA G. CALLAWAY
    DR. AKSHAY DESAI
    ROBERTO MARTÍNEZ
    PHOEBE RAULERSON
    KATHLEEN SHANAHAN
    LINDA K. TAYLOR
     
    Dr. Eric J. Smith
    Commissioner of Education
      
     
      
     
      
     
     
     
     
     
    Contact Information:
    Michael Turner
    (850) 245-9977
    Michael.Turner@fldoe.org
    K12:2008-80
     
     
     
    MEMORANDUM
     
    TO:
    District School Superintendents
     
    FROM:
    Dr. Frances Haithcock
     
    DATE:
    June 9, 2008
     
    SUBJECT: Online Federal Gun-Free Schools Act Local Education Agencies
    Activities Report Due June 20, 2008
     
    Under the Federal Gun-Free Schools (GFSA) Act, local education agencies (LEAs)
    receiving federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act funds are required to
    provide to the state an assurance that they are in compliance with this law. Additionally,
    LEAs are to provide, annually, a description of the circumstances surrounding any
    students expelled for bringing or possessing a gun on school property, including the
    name of the school concerned; the number of students expelled from indicated school;
    and the type of firearm(s) concerned. Guidance concerning state and local
    responsibilities under the Gun-Free Schools Act may be downloaded at:
     
    http://www.ed.gov/policy/elsec/guid/edpicks.jhtml?src=ln
     
     
     
     
    DR. FRANCES HAITHCOCK
    CHANCELLOR OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS
     
    325 W. GAINES STREET • SUITE 514 • TALLAHASSEE, FL 32399-0400 • (850) 245-0509 • www.fldoe.org
    District School Superintendents
    June 9, 2008
    Page Two
     
    In order to report this information to the federal government for the
    2006-2007
    school
    year, the Florida Department of Education has developed an online GFSA Local
    Education Agency Activities Report Form. This online form may be accessed at:
     
    http://app1.fldoe.org/safeschools/gunfree
     
    Prior to entering the report information on line, please follow these steps:
     
    1. Review the definitions for “elementary, junior and high schools,” and “other
    firearms” at:
     
    http://www.fldoe.org/safeschools/pdf/gfsa_definitions.pdf
     
    The federal definitions for “other firearms,” does not contain such items as toy
    guns, cap guns, air powered bb guns, pellet guns, etc. In Florida, even though
    some LEAs may expel students for bringing or possessing these items, they are
    not GFSA gun violations and should
    not
    be included in this report. Should you
    have any further questions regarding firearm definitions, contact one of the
    division offices of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, Tampa Field
    Division, (813) 202-7300 or the Miami Field Division, (305) 597-4800.
     
    2. Contact the Office of Safe Schools, for your initial
    password
    to access the online
    form and for technical assistance at
    email:
    sdfs@fldoe.org,
    or phone:
    (850) 245-
    0416, or
    Suncom:
    205-0416.
     
    3. Complete and submit the form online and mail the Superintendent Verification
    Letter, no later than
    Friday, June 20, 2008,
    to the Florida Department of
    Education,
    Attention
    : Michael Turner, 325 West
    Gaines Street, Suite 554,
    Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400. Once the online form is submitted, a
    Superintendent Verification Letter will be generated.
     
    We thank you for your time and for all you do to help keep Florida's students and
    schools safe.
     
    FH/mt
     
    cc: District Contacts, MIS
    District Contacts, Safe Schools
    District Contacts, Safe and Drug-Free Schools
     
     

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