Guardian Angel Drone Pilot Program Launches in Three Florida School Districts

November 17, 2025

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Guardian Angel Drone Pilot Program Launches in Three Florida School Districts

Tallahassee, Fla., November 17, 2025 – Today, Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas announced that three school districts, Broward, Leon and Volusia, will participate in the new Campus Guardian Angel Pilot Program, increasing the safety and security measures in these districts. The Campus Guardian Angel Program uses drones to distract active shooters while providing real-time audio and video feeds to guardians and law enforcement during potential threats on school campuses. The program will also be fully integrated with the Alyssa Alert platform in each participating district.

“Ensuring students and teachers have a safe and secure learning environment is one of my top priorities as Commissioner. Florida remains the national leader in school safety because we continue to invest in solutions that protect students and support a rapid, coordinated response,” said Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas. “The Guardian Angel Program is an important step in expanding the safety tools available to our districts. I thank Governor DeSantis for driving these efforts forward and ensuring our schools have the resources they need.”

“Broward County Public Schools keeps safety at the forefront of everything we do. The integration of the Guardian Angel Program will strengthen our ability to respond swiftly and decisively in the event of a threat,” said Dr. Howard Hepburn, Superintendent of Broward County Public Schools. “We are grateful to Governor DeSantis and Commissioner Kamoutsas for their leadership in this initiative.”

“As we join the Campus Guardian Angel Pilot Program, Leon County Schools is embracing another layer of protection that enhances rapid response, real-time awareness and coordinated action,” said Laurie Cox, Chair of the Leon County School Board. “We appreciate the state’s commitment to equipping our district with advanced tools and look forward to this partnership helping ensure every campus remains a place of learning and safety.”

“Volusia County Schools is proud to be a part of the pilot for the Campus Guardian Angel Program. By participating in this program, we are reinforcing our commitment to proactive safety measures and smart, coordinated response. This is another important step in ensuring our campuses not only teach students well, but also protect them well,” said Dr. Carmen Balgobin, Superintendent of Volusia County Schools.

Under Governor Ron DeSantis’ leadership, Florida has made historic and sustained investments in school safety with more than $1.3 billion dedicated to strengthening campus security. This commitment continues with $557,000 directed to the Campus Guardian Angel Program, ensuring schools have access to advanced, life-saving technology that supports rapid and effective emergency response.

Florida continues to lead the nation in school safety thanks to the efforts championed by Governor DeSantis to ensure every campus is better protected, including:

• In 2019, House Bill 7030, required implementation of a standardized behavioral threat assessment instrument and ensured the expedited transfer of student records to support school safety continuity.
• In 2020, House Bill 70 required all public schools to implement Alyssa’s Alert, a mobile panic alert system capable of real-time coordination with multiple first responders.
• In 2021, House Bill 590 enhanced requirements related to involuntary examinations of students and guaranteed parents timely notification and access to safety data.
• In 2022, House Bill 1421 required the development of model family reunification plans, strengthened law enforcement involvement in active assailant drills and updated statewide emergency drill requirements.
• In 2023, House Bill 543 created a statewide behavioral threat management system, updated SESIR reporting to ensure proper law enforcement notification, and launched the Florida Safe Schools Canine Program for firearm detection dogs.
• In 2024, House Bill 1473 expanded Guardian eligibility to former law enforcement officers, strengthened access control requirements for gates and doors and required clearly marked safe shelter areas within instructional spaces.
• In 2025, Senate Bill 1470 enhanced Guardian certification, required additional reporting at the state and district level, established updated access control standards for instructional and common areas, and required all substitute teachers to review safety protocols before beginning work.

For additional information about the Florida Department of Education’s mission to support districts in providing a safe learning environment for all students and teachers, please visit the Safe Schools page of the Department’s website.

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