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Board approves separation-allowance policy for school police officers; board hears cost concerns
Summary
Moore County Schools approved a revised policy making school police officers eligible for a special separation allowance after a minimum period of service; staff estimated an initial $100,000 annual impact and roughly $650,000 over time, and several board members raised concerns about open-ended liability.
The Moore County Board of Education approved a revised Police Officer Program policy (policy 36607450) on Dec. 8 that would make school police officers eligible for a special separation allowance under the form of the general statute after meeting criteria including a minimum of eight years of full-time service with Moore County Schools. The board approved the measure by voice vote; the chair announced the result as 6–1.
Superintendent/committee materials and staff presentations explained the change as a recruitment and retention tool. "If the officer meets criteria in this policy and has a minimum of 8 years of full time service as a Moore County Schools officer, the officer would be eligible to receive 100% of the benefit," a staff presentation read. Staff estimated the near-term liability at about $100,000 a year and projected exposure over time of about $650,000 based on current staffing and eligibility projections.
Board members asked detailed questions about how the formula would be applied and who would carry the liability when officers had prior creditable service with other agencies. One board member described the formula as involving a factor of 'point 85' times credible years of service. Mr. Hensley raised concerns about the long-term, uncapped liability and the possibility of encouraging officers to leave or game the system: "I just I just see this as an unlimited liability," he said.
Staff clarified that an officer can only receive the special separation allowance from one agency (it cannot be double-dipped) and that statutory eligibility includes age and service thresholds; board discussion referenced both the staff interpretation and statutory language. The board approved the revised policy and directed staff to link supporting cost examples to the public agenda materials.
The board's approval moves the policy into effect for Moore County Schools; staff will publish the examples and continue to provide cost projections and implementation details for future board review.
