Board approves two‑year SRO agreement with sheriff; district to fund officers through department

The Calhoun County School Board approved a two‑year agreement with the county sheriff’s department to continue school resource officer (SRO) coverage across the district.

The presenter recommended adoption of the agreement covering 2025–2027 and described its scope: "It outlines the responsibilities, the employment, you know, the full scope of what that is," the presenter said, and recommended approval. The presenter also stated that the district provides funding to the sheriff's office for the program: "we give $685,000 to the sheriff's department," a figure cited in the discussion; another participant rounded the amount to "700." Board members clarified that SROs are employees of the sheriff's department, not district employees, and that the district’s contribution covers part of the program costs.

Members questioned staffing and funding levels, noting the district currently has eight SROs to cover campuses and that the contract requires SROs to maintain specific training and certification. The presenter emphasized continuity with prior practice: "There's really nothing that changes there," and highlighted that SRO responsibilities and training remain in the agreement.

After discussion, the board voted by voice to approve the contract. The board did not record a roll-call tally in the meeting transcript; the motion was approved by voice vote. The approval sets the two‑year SRO arrangement in place while maintaining that officers remain employed and managed by the sheriff's department.

Next steps: the agreement will proceed as presented to the board and the district will continue coordinating with the sheriff's office on staffing and training details.