Posted January 10, 2025

MEDIA RELEASE

Brooksville - Hernando County School District has a new employee on the payroll! She walks on all four, is a bit on the furry side, and comes along with a partner, Hernando County Sheriff’s Deputy Burburan. She might be super cute - but don’t let her looks fool you - she’s all business! Her name is Skyy, a black Labrador retriever trained in contraband detection. Skyy and Dep. Burburan are a new addition to the school district’s safety team, and will be seen at all school campuses throughout the district.

Prior to his new detail, Dep. Burburan was assigned as a deputy with the HCSO. He and Skyy received full canine unit training through the sheriff’s office, and will now work together at all schools within the Hernando School District.

"This is a proacative step to increase security measures on our campuses," said Brandon DeRespiris, Director of Safe Schools for the district. "We want our staff, students and visitors to be aware when Skyy is on a school campus, she is on the job, working." In other words - we will all have to fight the urge to pet or play with Skyy.

The addition of Dep. Burburan and Skyy to the district’s SRO program is possible, in part, through millage funds. They join other canine units used within a number of school districts throughout the state. In fact, neighboring Citrus County Schools use a canine unit to detect vapes and other paraphernalia.

“Our school board was certainly excited to approve this contract,” Superintendent Ray Pinder said. “Adding trained personnel like Skyy and Deputy Burburan will allow us to build one more layer to our safety plan. And, it won’t hurt that students will love her”.