Changes have been made in the wake of last week's school lockdown controversy in Winter Haven.

Polk School Superintendent Kathryn LeRoy has put new rules in place and she has suspended the principal of the school.

Winter Haven police conducted a lockdown drill at Jewett Middle Academy Magnet School last week. During the drill an officer pulled out his loaded handgun in front of students in a classroom. Another officer had an AR-15. That scared some students and upset some parents.



At a school board meeting Tuesday evening LeRoy announced that she was suspending principal Jacquelyn Moore while an internal investigation continues.



"Obviously, the school administration at Jewett Middle Academy Magnet, which was responsible for the coordination of this drill, exhibited a lack of good judgment and did not have a clear understanding of how the drill should be conducted," said LeRoy.

She is also putting formal rules in place for future law enforcement drills at schools. No weapons will be carried during the drills. Parents will be sent messages about the drills when they start. School staff will also be located at the entrance of school to answer any parent questions. Staff will also take phone calls to answer any parent questions.



Parents picking up their children from Jewett Middle Academy Magnetl Wednesday had mixed reactions to the news the principal had been suspended.



"Overblown," said parent Reggie Harris, who felt the suspension was political. "That was uncalled for. That was my opinion. That was uncalled for."



But parent Kim Skinner felt the move could be justified.



"I support them in the decision they have made," She said.



The school district has sent the new rules to Polk County's law enforcement agencies.

