Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos on Tuesday announced a couple of critical steps the U.S. Department of Education is taking to provide students and staff at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School with support.
The Department will award Broward County Public Schools a $1 million grant, part of the Project School Emergency Response to Violence (Project SERV) program.
"My heart is broken for the students, teachers and families who have had to endure this unthinkable tragedy. I am committed to helping identify solutions to prevent another tragedy like this one from happening again. The initial SERV funds awarded today will help Broward County provide services to aid in the healing and recovery process," DeVos said in a press release. "I have had the honor to meet several members of the Parkland community over the past days. The strength shown by these students, family members and educators is an inspiration to us all."
According to a press release from the Department of Education, "Project SERV provides critical support to school districts and institutions of higher education that have experienced a significant traumatic event and need resources to restore the learning environment for students and staff. Examples of activities that may be funded by Project SERV include mental health services; overtime for teachers, counselors and security staff; and payment of substitute teachers."
In addition to the $1 million grant, DeVos will visit Stoneman Douglas on Wednesday to meet with students and staff.
Betsy DeVos will visit Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School tomorrow. Closed press. pic.twitter.com/NdTVKvfYR9
— Joy (@Joy_Resmovits) March 6, 2018
The meeting will be closed to press but DeVos will take questions directly following.
Student Emma Gonzalez wasn't thrilled with the news.
Good thing I was already planning on sleeping in tomorrow https://t.co/Oy6ALcDHLZ
— Emma González (@Emma4Change) March 7, 2018
Her fellow classmates who have been seen across news networks had the same sentiments. David Hogg and Cameron Kasky retweeted Emma's post.
Student Delaney Tarr, however, wants to meet with DeVos.
We would love the opportunity to actually sit and speak with her. Better that than have her avoid us. https://t.co/5dWIjBgJl6
— Delaney Tarr (@delaneytarr) March 7, 2018
Outspoken Second Amendment supporter Kyle Kashuv wants to meet with DeVos and says that any students who walk out on a meeting with her are being disrespectful.
I reached out to @BetsyDeVosED as she is a good person to speak with on SCHOOL safety. My fellow schoolmates that walk out on her are not only being hypocritical, but also disrespectful to @POTUS, the presidency, and his cabinet.
— Kyle Kashuv (@KyleKashuv) March 7, 2018
Lex Michael didn't seem to have an opinion one way or another.
Wait... we get to talk to her?.....Interesting https://t.co/aLmkv3B9dd
— Lex (@lexforchange) March 7, 2018
Note: The original article was updated to include a later tweet from Kyle Kashuv.