Randolph County board accepts $176,000 safer‑schools grant to add school resource officer support

The Randolph County School System Board of Education voted to accept a $176,000 Center for Safer Schools grant to provide additional school resource officer (SRO) support.

The board approved the grant after staff described it as a multi‑year renewal award that supplements prior county funding for SROs. Board members moved and seconded the request and approved it by voice vote.

Superintendent (Dr. Daniel) and staff said the grant will be used to supplement existing SRO coverage that began Jan. 1, 2023, and that the award renews periodically. Board materials and the presenter noted the grant exceeds the $5,000 informational threshold in board policy 8220, therefore requiring formal board approval.

The vote followed a short staff presentation and a request for a motion. A board member moved to accept the grant; another seconded. “All in favor say aye,” the chair said; the motion carried.

The acceptance will allow the district to proceed with the planned additional SRO assignments in the zones described by staff. No exact staffing assignments or implementation timetable were provided at the meeting; staff said they would move forward under the grant terms.

A separate informational list of smaller donations and classroom grants was presented earlier on the agenda; those items were accepted under the districts gift policy but did not require board approval because each was below the $5,000 threshold.

The board did not attach conditions to the grant acceptance at the meeting. Staff will incorporate the award into district finance and operations as required and report back under normal procurement and grant‑reporting procedures.

Ending: The board approved the grant and moved on to the remainder of its agenda, including budget and calendar items later in the meeting.