Collier schools tighten security measures as students head back to class

NAPLES, Fla. — Class is back in session for students in Collier County, and the Collier County Public School District is making their safety a top priority. The district is expanding its use of video doorbells at single points of entry to keep track of everyone who visits the fifty-plus schools in the county.

"We started last year with video doorbells, and this year we're increasing that with our after-school program, and around the back in the kitchens where deliveries come in," said Dr. Kamela Patton, superintendent of Collier County Public Schools.

Patton was joined by Sheriff Kevin Rambosk at Naples High School to greet students as they returned to class Tuesday morning.

Rambosk said he is concerned about continued reports of drivers being spotted passing school buses when the buses are stopped at student bus stops. His deputies conducted operations during the last school year to catch those drivers, and said those operations would continue.

"We are going to be riding the buses, and we're going to be looking for unlawful passing," Rambosk said.

"You might remember that there's a new law that says you cannot use an electronic device in a school zone," Rambosk added. "We will be out enforcing that."

The school district also has a new focus on reducing student absences.

"For kids that have more than ten percent absences, we'll have one extra faculty person checking on them every week to be sure they're in school, and seeing how we can help them," Patton said.

She said the district is also increasing its focus on the mental health of students. For more on those initiatives, click here.