Christian County Public Schools is taking steps to bring those positions in-house, as the cost of school resource officers has increased nearly 450 percent over five years.
Thursday night, the School Board voted unanimously to approve creating its own law enforcement agency. Director of Student Services Dr. Kim Stevenson says the school district is grateful for its partnerships with local law enforcement over the years.
click to download audioThe District will hire four officers next year to replace Sheriff’s Office Deputies and then the following year hire 10 to replace the Police Department officers. She adds the new hires will have to have SRO training.
click to download audioIn 2020, the District paid $316,000 for SROs. Next year, it projects current costs at $1,417,000. Board Member Rebecca Pepper asked about other districts making similar decisions.
click to download audioThe School Board also approved positions for a Director of School Safety and Security and a Chief of School Safety and Security.
In other business, Assistant Superintendent Kevin Crider presented district recommendations to fill the community member seats on the Local Planning Committee – David Wimpy, Mark McGee, and Tiffany Mumford Brame.
click to download audioThe School Board approved those three choices. School staff, administrators, and parents will fill the other 17 seats.
