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Board accepts $182,567 federal grant to add elementary SRO coverage
Summary
The board approved acceptance of a $182,567 North Carolina Stronger Connections (Title IV safe and healthy schools) grant intended to add roughly 2.5 SRO positions for elementary schools in three non-AT zones; board members discussed recruitment, training, and that the grant currently covers one year through September 2026.
The Randolph County Board of Education voted to accept a competitive North Carolina Stronger Connections grant totaling $182,567 to increase school resource officer (SRO) services at elementary schools in three designated non-AT zones.
The grant, a competitive award from the Title IV safe and healthy schools component, was described by staff as a one-year award that runs through September 2026. "We wrote this grant to be used to increase SRO services particularly for our elementary schools to reduce significantly the student to SRO ratio," the staff member who presented the grant said.
Board members asked whether the funds would pay for officers directly and how many positions the award could support. Administrators estimated the amount would fund about 2.5 officers based on current market costs and stressed the sheriff's office would need time to recruit and train personnel before full coverage could begin.
Discussion touched on sustainability: board members noted the grant is not recurring by default and agreed the district should demonstrate use of the funds and relevant outcomes to improve the district's chances if the program is renewed. The board moved, seconded and approved acceptance of the grant by voice vote.
Next steps: staff will finalize the memorandum of understanding(s) with the sheriff's department and other partners, begin recruitment planning and report implementation milestones to the board.
