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Board asks to request voluntary annexation of West Smithfield Elementary to City of Smithfield to secure school security services
Summary
Board voted to request that the town of Smithfield voluntarily annex West Smithfield Elementary so the town can provide school security services, including assignment of an SRO; the town must approve the annexation and any related memorandum of understanding.
The Johnston County Board of Education voted to request voluntary annexation of West Smithfield Elementary into the town limits of Smithfield so the town can provide school security services, including school-resource-officer coverage.
Staff said the town of Smithfield notified the district it could provide school-security services at West Smithfield Elementary immediately if the school were within the town’s corporate limits. The school currently has an SRO assigned, and staff said that SRO could be reassigned if the annexation proceeds and the town provides a replacement. Legal counsel and staff advised that a voluntary annexation request from the board is the appropriate first step; the town would then consider and must approve the annexation.
An attorney from the district’s land-use counsel summarized an annexation application process, noting the town would be responsible for extending services to the annexed property and that there is no financial downside for the district in the short term because the district is not required to pay town taxes. Staff said, if the town completes annexation before the next meeting, the board would consider a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for an SRO assignment as a future action item.
The board approved the request for voluntary annexation. Motion by Mr. Carroll; second by Miss Antoine. Voice vote: all present indicated aye.
