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Private Schools Say They Don't Have the Resources Public Schools Do to Respond to School Emergencies

Public schools have more shared resources to respond to emergencies than private, independent schools.

Public schools for example are assigned police officers who visit school campuses every day. If private schools want one, they have to pay an off-duty officer.Dana Markham is the president of Pine Crest School in Fort Lauderdale. She's asking other private schools in the area to come together to share resources. Like, if a nearby school has to be evacuated.

Markham says many private schools can't afford their own school transportation system.

"We have 48 buses. We could arrive at their school and pick up their children and bring them back to our school and help them dismiss to their parents", said Markham.

Six private schools in Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, and Palm Beach County have already met to create an emergency plan together. Five more private schools are expected to participate in their second meeting later this month.

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