The board encourages parents, as defined by Florida Statutes, and other approved visitors to visit the schools. The principal in conjunction with district security personnel will regulate visits both within the school and on the campus for purposes of security and to ensure that visitors do not interrupt the instructional program or violate other school or district protocols.

I. Any person entering the premises of a school shall enter through a single point of entry designated by the principal in conjunction with district security personnel, report to the school’s reception desk, and make known the purpose of the visit prior to making further entry into the school. All visitors shall sign in and receive clearance to enter at the reception desk through the Raptor system, comply with all visitor management requirements throughout the duration of their visit, and follow the procedures described in Policy 3.40. Prospective visitors will be denied entry if a lawful reason to deny entry exists.

II. A student not enrolled in the school, an adult without a child enrolled in the school as a student, or a child who is not a student who is unaccompanied by a parent who is visiting the school is prohibited from visiting a school unless otherwise approved by the principal.

III. Principals in conjunction with district security personnel may issue additional regulations regarding visitation to account for the unique dynamics of a particular school in further of the efficient operation of the individual school so long as the minimum requirements and overall intent of this policy are satisfied. Principals shall communicate school visitation protocols to parents at least annually and any time modifications to existing school-specific visitation protocols occur.

IV. While on campus, visitors are expected to make initial entry in conformance with this policy and follow all laws, school rules, school directives, and other school protocols while on school grounds. The failure to do so may result in removal, denial of future visitation, arrest, and/or issuance of a trespass warning.

V. Parents are invited to visit the schools that their student(s) attends. To avoid interrupting the daily program, the parent who wishes to communicate with the teacher or other school personnel should request a conference for after school hours or during a teacher’s conference period.

VI. Any person who enters or remains upon district property without administrative approval or after being asked to leave may be found to be trespassing and, therefore, in violation of Florida Statutes and subject to arrest and penalties as defined by statutes.

VII. No provision in this policy shall prohibit a parent in good standing with the Sarasota County School District from walking their student(s) to their assigned classroom during morning arrival. The parent shall comply with all provisions in this policy before entering the campus, promptly depart the drop off area after walking their children, and check-out with the school immediately after dropping their student(s) at the designated location.