Parents Demand Accountability After Sabal Point Safety Communication Failure
A change.org petition that gathered more than 1,800 signatures called for Seminole County Public Schools superintendent Serita Beamon to resign following a self reported threat by a paraprofessional at Sabal Point Elementary and a delayed notification to parents. The episode has prompted state scrutiny, school board conflict, and a review of district safety and hiring policies that affects families across Seminole County.
On December 2, 2025 a petition on change.org surpassed 1,800 signatures demanding the resignation of Seminole County Public Schools superintendent Serita Beamon after an incident at Sabal Point Elementary School revealed gaps in communication and safety procedures. The controversy centers on a paraprofessional who on September 24 self reported thoughts of killing a six year old student, according to police records, and on the decision to inform parents only nine days later on October 3.
The staggered disclosure prompted parents and staff to press district leaders at a school board meeting in November. The petition accused leadership directly, saying "[Beamon] failed to take any action to ensure the safety of the employees, teachers and students at Sabal Point Elementary" and adding "This inaction left the school vulnerable." Teacher Maura Olvey told school board members, "When a potentially dangerous situation actually arose, we were left in the dark by our district leaders — shame on you."
The incident attracted state level attention. In a memo to all Florida school district superintendents, Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas said Beamon’s office "seemed more concerned with optics than immediate safety." "I share the concerns of Seminole parents," Kamoustas added. Those comments amplified calls for transparency from families worried about student safety.
District officials said they have enacted multiple procedural reviews. SCPS spokesperson Katherine Crnkovich said, "The safety of our students and staff is our highest priority. What matters most is to ensure that our families and staff feel safe at school. We have reviewed this incident thoroughly and made several changes to ensure we do not have a situation like this again." Crnkovich outlined actions including reviewing safety and reporting policies, improving communication processes with the Sheriff’s Office, and creating a process to notify the district when an employee has contact with law enforcement that may raise concern.
Board chair Kristine Kraus publicly supported the superintendent, saying "I fully support our Superintendent and believe this was a communication error. I do not wish for her to resign. We are implementing better practices in conjunction with our Sheriff’s office and hope an event like this never happens again." No board member indicated that Beamon would resign, and district officials did not confirm whether she intends to step down.
Local implications extend beyond the immediate school community. Police records show the paraprofessional had been arrested previously for complaints of public exposure but faced no charges, and the district reported that a background check was passed during hiring. For Seminole County families, the episode raises questions about background screening limits, the timeliness of safety notifications, and how quickly schools coordinate with law enforcement. The district says procedural changes are underway, but trust among parents and staff will likely hinge on how transparently and consistently those changes are implemented in the coming months.
