FLEMING ISLAND – Although the Florida Senate approved a bill that could arm teachers, Clay County will rely solely on its newly-formed police department, Superintendent Addison Davis said.

In a 22-17 vote, the Florida Senate recently passed the bill that allows all 67 school districts in the state to decide whether they want teachers to carry weapons.

All Democrats in the Senate voted no, and all but one Republican voted yes.

Even if the House passes the bill and Gov. Ron DeSantis signs it, Clay County teachers will not be allowed to bring a weapon into their classrooms.

“At this stage, those in my leadership have been very clear in our aspirations, which are to not allow and enforce teachers to carry weapons in our schools,” Davis said. “Openly, they come to this profession to work for our children, not to be reactive to safety issues within their classrooms related to being able to carry.”

If the House approves the bill, DeSantis told the Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel newspaper he will sign the bill.

Davis said the school board decided months ago not to arm its teachers. If the bill passes, Davis said it probably would be discussed at a future meeting.

“We shouldn’t be arming our teachers with weapons, but instead, we should arm them with inspiration,” Davis said. “We should arm them with the resources and incentivize them financially in order to help them create a world class education every day within Clay County.”

Another reason why teachers don’t need guns is the newly-formed the Clay County School District Police Department.

“Any time you have extra personnel on campuses that have the ability to carry concealed weapons or a non-concealed weapon, it provides more individuals on campuses to further protect, and that’s great, but our teachers didn’t go to get their education to do that, hence the reason we will have a resource officer in every one of our schools along with guardians within school to better protect our children and the working conditions of our adults,” Davis said.