Parents concerned about safety at new Orange County school

ORLANDO, Fla. — A brand new school in downtown Orlando’s Parramore district is drawing questions about student safety from parents.

The Academic Center for Excellence or “ACE” school opened near Colonial Drive and Interstate 4 for the 2017-2018 school year with a dedicated green walking path to the school.

It marks the first time in 40 years the Parramore community has had a school within walking distance. But some parents believe students need more than a path to keep them safe.

According to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, there are 267 registered sex offenders within two miles of the school’s zip code.

In comparison, two neighboring schools—Kaley and Azalea Park Elementary—have 81 and 94 registered sex offenders within two miles, respectively.

OCPS has 12 crossing guards placed along the green walkway leading to the school, said Orange County Public Schools Superintendent Barbara Jenkins.

“We have video camera’s during and after the school day,” Jenkins said.

But that doesn’t satisfy some parents.

“They should have some other security measure other than that the crossing guards. There's just so much that they can do,” said Marlena Sapp, a parent.

Despite parent concerns, Jenkins said the first day of school at ACE went off without issue or incident.

Cox Media Group