Florida Department of Education Hosts Second Annual National Summit on School Safety
March 31, 2026
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Florida Department of Education Hosts Second Annual National Summit on School Safety
~ John Newman, Chief of Security and Emergency Management for Hillsborough County Public Schools, Named School Safety Specialist of the Year ~
Tallahassee, Fla., March 31, 2026 – Representatives from school districts across Florida and 19 states gathered for Florida’s second annual National Summit on School Safety hosted by the Florida Department of Education and the Florida Education Foundation. Education leaders, law enforcement officers, policymakers and school safety specialists convened at the Summit to learn about Florida’s nationally recognized model for school safety and share best practices. Families of the victims from the Marjory Stoneman Douglas shooting were also in attendance, bringing a deeply meaningful and powerful presence to the event.
Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas welcomes attendees to the 2nd Annual National Summit on School Safety.
John Newman, Chief of Security and Emergency Management for Hillsborough County Public Schools, was awarded the 2026 School Safety Specialist of the Year.
During the Summit, John Newman was honored as the 2026 School Safety Specialist of the Year in recognition of his outstanding leadership and dedication to protecting students and staff. He currently serves as Chief of Security and Emergency Management for Hillsborough County Public Schools, where he has been a key member of the security and emergency management team since 2014. Prior to his work in education, Chief Newman dedicated 29 years to the Tampa Police Department, building a distinguished career in public safety. In 2023, he was appointed by Governor DeSantis to the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Public Safety Commission—an honor that underscores his expertise and trusted leadership in school safety.
“Florida continues to lead the nation with innovative policies that safeguard our schools, students and staff. I am grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with partners across the country to share Florida’s approach to school safety,” said Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas. “Congratulations to Chief Newman on being named this year’s School Safety Specialist. With more than 40 years of experience in law enforcement and emergency management, he has made a profound and lasting impact on school safety in Florida.”
“I am proud that Florida continues to strengthen policies that improve school safety, with the belief that this work is never finished,” said Ryan Petty, Chair of the State Board of Education. “This Summit provided an important opportunity for school safety specialists to deepen their expertise and learn from Florida’s model, helping to further protect campuses nationwide. Our shared goal is to ensure that no family has to experience the pain we endure as the families of the victims of Marjory Stoneman Douglas.”
“School safety starts with preparation, coordination and strong partnerships," said Florida Division of Emergency Management Executive Director Kevin Guthrie. "In Florida, we take an all-hazards approach, working alongside educators, law enforcement and community partners to ensure every school is prepared, protected and resilient. This is about safeguarding our future and ensuring every student can learn in a safe environment.”
The Summit opened with welcoming remarks from Commissioner Kamoutsas, setting the tone for three days focused on collaboration and innovation in school safety. Attendees then heard a compelling keynote delivered by the United States Secret Service, offering expert insight into identifying and preventing potential threats. Additional sessions explored Florida’s evolving safety landscape, the importance of partnering with emergency management and emerging school safety challenges at the national level. The Summit concluded on a powerful note with a student-led panel to bring forward the voices that matter most and reinforce the shared commitment to creating safer schools for every student.
To learn more about Florida’s commitment to school safety, visit Safe Schools.
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