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Oconee County Schools expands SRO coverage to five officers as recruitment continues
Summary
Oconee County Schools reported expansion of its school resource officer (SRO) program to five officers, with four assigned directly to schools and leadership based at Malcolm Bridge Middle School; the district says additional placements depend on sheriff's office recruitment.
Oconee County Schools announced an expansion of its school resource officer program Tuesday, saying the SRO team now includes five officers with four assigned directly to schools and a program captain based at Malcolm Bridge Middle School.
The update came in the student services report delivered by Dr. Yancey, director of student services, who said the district increased school law-enforcement presence beginning in September and recently signed a memorandum of understanding to expand placements. "Captain Mark Smith has assumed leadership of the program and will be based at Malcolm Bridge Middle School," Dr. Yancey told the board. "Last week, Lieutenant Paul Maxey began his role as an SRO at Dove Creek Middle School. And today, Corporal Quentin Nesmith started as an SRO at Oconee County Middle School."
Dr. Yancey said the additions bring the team to five officers: four assigned directly to schools and a captain who will maintain a presence at Malcolm Bridge Middle School while overseeing the program. "With these additions, the SRO team now consists of 5 officers, 4 assigned directly to schools, and captain Smith overseeing the program," Dr. Yancey said. He added that Sheriff Hale and his office will continue recruiting qualified deputies for SRO roles based on criteria the district and sheriff's office established.
Board members asked for implementation details and timelines. A board member thanked staff and asked whether any middle school placements remain outstanding; Dr. Yancey said the district is awaiting the sheriff's office to make additional deputies available and that the remaining placement will occur when recruitment yields a qualified candidate. When asked whether Lieutenant Maxey would move to an administrative role once positions were filled, Dr. Yancey said, "He will remain there until we fill all positions, but he is part of that 4 member leadership team in the sheriff's office."
Dr. Yancey said the district will provide updates as the sheriff's office fills additional SRO positions. The report was presented during the March 3 work session; no formal board action on the SRO program was taken at that meeting.
