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Commission debates options as Lauderdale County reports three SRO vacancies ahead of school year
Summary
The sheriff and commissioners discussed shortfalls in school resource officers (three vacancies) and options including raising part-time pay to $30/hour, recruiting retired officers (possible $52,000 total annual pay), or converting roles to full-time county deputies; commissioners asked staff to refine options and consult the school system before the next meeting.
Lauderdale County commissioners and the sheriff spent an extended portion of the meeting discussing a shortage of three school resource officers (SROs) ahead of the upcoming school year. The sheriff (Speaker 8) said the county currently lacks applicants for three part-time SRO positions set at $20 per hour and outlined three options: maintain part-time positions and continue recruitment; raise part-time pay to attract retired officers; or convert the three positions to full-time deputy/SRO posts.
Speakers referenced neighboring counties’ compensation practices—Morgan, Madison and Limestone counties were cited as paying higher rates or offering benefits that attract retired officers—and described an exemption allowing certain retired officers to draw RSA benefits and earn up to $52,000 as an SRO under specific retirement rules. Commissioners discussed the tradeoffs, including backfilling patrol vacancies if deputies move into SRO roles and whether the school system would accept full-time hires with a larger county contribution.
Discussion also covered certification and staffing logistics: candidates must be Alabama POST-certified (APOS), some part-timers hold different certifications that limit duties, and overtime and benefit-sharing arrangements vary by district. Commissioners asked staff to meet with school officials, explore a mixed staffing model (some full-time, some part-time increased pay), and return with cost estimates and proposed agreements in time for the August schedule and the next commission meeting.
Next steps: staff were asked to coordinate with the school system and HR to produce a short plan with cost options (increasing part-time pay, full-time conversion, or a hybrid model) and to present it at the next meeting so the commission can act before the school year begins.
