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Board authorizes superintendent to ask county to redirect SRO funding and consider reducing officers to nine
Summary
Trustees authorized the superintendent to request that Bladen County direct $316,000 in SRO funding to the sheriff's office and recommended adjusting assignments (proposing nine SROs instead of 12) to reduce an estimated budget shortfall; the motion carried 6–2 after debate about student safety.
The Bladen County Schools board authorized the superintendent to notify county officials that the district wants $316,000 in county‑allocated SRO funding redirected to the sheriff's office and endorsed the administration's recommendation to adjust School Resource Officer assignments to reduce costs.
District presenters told trustees that the county allocates roughly $316,000 nominally for SROs and the state provides about $264,000 in grant funding; presenters said the district still faces an uncovered amount they estimated at about $600,000 for SRO costs. "One part of our request...is that they would consider making that allocation of $316,000 straight to the sheriff's office," the administration said, arguing the change would reduce cost‑sharing with charter schools and ensure the full amount is realized for SROs.
The administration proposed reducing the district's assigned SRO positions from a prior contract level of 12 toward nine officers so that at least one officer would be based in every building while preserving shared positions where appropriate. A trustee raised safety concerns and urged retaining two officers at each high school, saying, "I will not compromise the safety of our kids for no reason whatsoever."
A board member moved to recommend the administration's SRO plan and to authorize the superintendent to provide official notice to county officials; the motion was seconded and carried on a recorded voice vote the chair reported as 6–2.
What's next: The superintendent is authorized to approach county and sheriff's office officials to request the funding redirection and negotiate assignment and contract details; staff will return to the board if further decisions are required.
