Oconee County boards approve SRO agreement to place deputies in all 12 schools

Oconee County officials on Wednesday approved a memorandum of understanding to establish a school resource officer (SRO) program placing a deputy at each of the county’s 12 schools, with four additional command staff for a total of up to 16 deputies.

The agreement, approved by the Oconee County Board of Commissioners and the Oconee County Board of Education at a joint meeting Jan. 29, 2025, sets a cost-sharing arrangement under which Oconee County Schools will cover 90% of program costs and the county will cover 10%. The first term runs through February 2026 and will automatically renew annually unless a party gives at least 30 days’ written notice; any party may terminate with 60 days’ notice.

Why it matters: The boards said the program is intended to expand proactive safety and behavioral-threat assessment work in schools and to provide continuity so deputies assigned to schools are not pulled for routine patrol duties during the school day.

Superintendent Kofer told the joint meeting the MOU creates “an SRO program with up to 16 deputies in order to have 1 SRO in each of the 12 schools.” He said the agreement contains selection criteria and duties intended to preserve the schools’ educational mission while allowing deputies to focus on law enforcement and crime prevention.

Sheriff Hale described the initiative as the culmination of several years of collaboration and said the goal is prevention as well as response: “My job as the sheriff is to secure this county,” he said, and added that deputies assigned to schools will receive training in behavioral threat assessment and work with school staff to identify and support at-risk students.

Key financial and operational details included in the MOU:

- Staffing: up to 16 deputies (12 assigned to schools, 4 command/oversight staff) to provide continuity when individual deputies are absent. - Cost estimates: an initial implementation estimate (through the first term) of up to $1,391,282 total, with Oconee County Schools’ share reported as $1,252,153; the estimated full cost for FY 2026 if fully staffed is $2,482,563, with the Board of Education’s portion estimated at $2,234,307. - Cost schedule and budget process: the Board of Commissioners will provide an estimate of full program cost by April 1 of the then-current fiscal year, with a final cost submitted on or before May 1 to align with the school district’s budget timeline; reimbursements will occur at least monthly. - Terms and renewal: current term effective through February 2026; annual automatic renewals unless 30-day notice is given; any party may terminate with 60 days’ notice. - Work outside school days: SROs will work for the sheriff’s office at least 25 days per year when school is not in session. - Personnel standards: the MOU specifies 11 selection qualifications and 21 duties intended to ensure deputies are experienced and trained for work with students and school staff.

Public comment at the meeting included parents and residents who supported rapid hiring and raised questions about officer rotation, familiarity, and the funding split. Angela Martin, a parent and community member, said she had researched other programs and was encouraged by local plans, adding, “safety is our number 1 priority. We’re implementing, this program.” Resident Stephen Elshara asked about potential complacency from long assignments and how deputies would handle routine student conduct issues.

Board members and school officials said the 16-officer total reflects the need for supervisory and training roles and to avoid pulling deputies from patrol to cover absences. One board member compared regional funding splits and urged future consideration of a more balanced cost share, noting some nearby counties use approximately 50/50 arrangements; others on the dais said many jurisdictions use varied splits and that the county’s contribution includes infrastructure, 911 support and other indirect costs.

Formal actions:

- The Board of Commissioners voted to approve the agreement and to authorize all necessary budget amendments to implement the SRO program. The motion was moved and seconded; the chair called for the ayes and the motion carried. - The Oconee County Board of Education voted to approve the MOU; the board’s vote was recorded as passing 5-0.

Officials said the sheriff may begin recruiting for SRO positions after the agreement’s approval, but cautioned that recruiting law enforcement personnel may take time. The boards directed staff to follow the MOU’s budget and reporting schedule and to provide required cost estimates in time for the school district’s budget process.