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At the School Board Meeting of May 15, 2024, School Board Member Roberto J. Alonso proffered agenda item H-6, authorizing the Superintendent of Schools, in consultation with the Office of the General Counsel, to explore the feasibility of having volunteer school chaplains to provide support, services and/or programs to M-DCPS students and staff as part of a District operated program, ensuring that any program deemed feasible complies with the U.S. Constitution and Federal and State laws, respects parental choice, requires written parent permission for students to participate; and if such a program is deemed feasible, undergo any necessary rulemaking.
The Florida Legislature’s passage of House Bill 931 presents an opportunity for Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) to consider the feasibility of establishing a volunteer school chaplain program to provide additional support to students. The bill that was recently signed by Governor DeSantis, which becomes effective July 1, 2024, provides that a school district may adopt a policy authorizing volunteer school chaplains to provide support, services, and programs to students; requires parental notifications as well as written parental consent for students to participate in such a program; requires that volunteers providing services under any such program are rigidly background screened in accordance with Florida law; and requires that any such program be operated transparently, with a list of the volunteer chaplains and their religious affiliations published on the district website.
“The compassionate presence of chaplains in our schools can make a positive contribution to the holistic development of students and staff within a school. In times of difficulties, chaplains can also serve as a frontline responder, providing immediate support and solace to affected individuals,” said Board Member Alonso. “I thank my colleagues on the Board for their support for this item. I look forward to the implementation of this initiative.”
Pursuant to agenda item H-6, a report with any findings will be provided to the Personnel, Student, School & Community Support Committee by July 17, 2024.
