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Washington County will fund half of an additional school resource officer pending state grant
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Summary
The Board voted 4-0 to fund half of an existing SRO and provide half of the salary for a third SRO contingent on Washington County Schools securing NCDPI grant funding; staff will present a budget amendment at the Oct. 26 recessed meeting.
The Washington County Board of Commissioners voted 4-0 on Oct. 5 to increase local funding for school resource officers (SROs), contingent on a state grant.
Dr. Linda Carr, Washington County Schools superintendent, asked the Board to pursue a matching grant and to support a third SRO by sharing the cost with the school district. "I am a steward of trying to be able to save money at the schools," Dr. Carr said during the meeting.
County Manager and County Attorney Curtis Potter told commissioners the estimated cost of a full SRO is $57,000 per year. Commissioner Johnson moved — and later amended her motion — that the county fund one-half of the salary of an existing SRO position and fund an additional one-half of a third SRO if Washington County Schools secures a NCDPI grant for the remaining half. The Board directed staff to prepare a budget amendment for approval at the Oct. 26 recessed meeting. The motion passed 4-0.
Why it matters: The change would raise the county’s share of SRO costs compared with previous support levels and depends on the school district securing state grant funding. The Board asked staff to return with specific budget numbers before final appropriation.
What’s next: County staff will prepare a budget amendment and present it at the Oct. 26 recessed Board meeting; the county’s additional funding is contingent on the school district’s successful NCDPI grant application.