Training for What We Hope Never Happens — But Must Be Ready For

On Wednesday, I joined fellow school leaders, administrators, and district team members to observe one of the most intense and important trainings we conduct each year. Together, we watched our elite Citrus County Sheriff’s Office deputies, School Resource Officers, School Board Police Department, and School Guardians undergo a real-life Active Assailant Training — one they hope they will never have to use, but one they take incredibly seriously to ensure that, if needed, they are fully prepared to protect our students, staff, and every person on campus.

This year’s training, held at Rock Crusher Elementary, was more than a classroom session or tabletop exercise. It was a live simulation, complete with mock students from the CCSO Explorer Program, simulation victims, and team members acting out scenes of chaos and crisis — all in service of building rapid, coordinated responses that could save lives in the face of a real emergency.

As I shadowed the participants navigating a simulated tragedy — including a full school lockdown, classroom clearing, and a pursuit of an active assailant — I was struck by the realism and gravity of the moment. The screams, the urgency, the sound of live training rounds, and the raw emotion acted out by CCSO team members and student volunteers made it all feel incredibly real. My own heart pounded. My adrenaline surged. And I was reminded that while most of us only imagine such a nightmare, these professionals train to meet it head-on.

This was not just training for the sake of checking a box. It was preparation with purpose — scenario-based, emotionally intense, and deeply rooted in the goal of protecting lives.

I want to extend my deepest gratitude to Sheriff David Vincent, Chief Rachel Montgomery, the entire Citrus County Sheriff’s Office, School Board Police, our School Guardians, and all those who participated. Your dedication, discipline, and courage give our schools the foundation of safety they need to thrive.

We pray these moments never come.
But because of your work, we know we are not only safer —
We are ready.

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