Worcester County commissioners table request to place sheriff's deputies in private and faith-based schools after legal, liability questions

Worcester County commissioners voted to table Item 12 — a sheriff's office request to place school resource deputies in private and faith-based schools — after commissioners said they had not received sufficient legal and insurance guidance to proceed.

Commissioner Metresick moved to table the item, citing the need for additional legal advice and clarification on which institutions would qualify; Commissioner Bunting seconded the motion and the item was tabled.

The move to table came after County Attorney Roscoe Leslie and other commissioners said the request lacked key information about liability, criteria for what constitutes a “private school,” and whether the sheriff's office had consulted outside authorities such as the state attorney general or the county's insurer.

Why it matters: dozens of parents and community members urged the commissioners to approve coverage for…