From Campus to Classroom: Stories That Shape Education
- Barrow County Board of Commissioners cut funding for half the district's SROs, threatening program reductions and community protections.
- Barrow County school leaders say they were blindsided and are scrambling to maintain safety for over 15,000 students and 2,000 employees.
- Families, citing the deadly Apalachee High School shooting, say SROs saved lives and oppose budget cuts to school security.
- The Board of Education vows at least one deputy per school, considers a millage increase, and may assume full SRO funding.
The county’s funding cut stems from the Board of Education’s decision to implement a senior tax exemption earlier this year.
WINDER, Ga. — Months after a deadly shooting at Apalachee High School prompted a pledge to increase campus security, a funding dispute between Barrow County’s Board of Education and the Board of Commissioners has put the future of school resource officers in question. The sudden shift has ignited concern among parents and educators who fear losing the added protections they fought to secure.
Barrow County school leaders are scrambling to maintain current levels of school safety following a decision by the county commission to cut funding for half of the district’s school resource officers. The announcement came just before the Board of Education finalized its budget, blindsiding district officials and prompting fears in the community that the SRO program could be scaled back.
“We were recently informed of Barrow County’s Board of Commissioners decision to reduce, potentially eliminate, their portion of the funding for the SRO program,” Dr. James Bowen said during Monday night’s board meeting.
The funding cut stems from the Board of Education’s decision to implement a senior tax exemption earlier this year. The move, intended to ease the tax burden on older residents, has now shifted full financial responsibility for 12 of the district’s 24 SROs back onto the school system. Under a previous agreement, the county and district had shared the costs evenly.
“This development came as a surprise,” Bowen stated.
District leaders expressed frustration, suggesting the commission’s move disregards the safety needs of over 15,000 students and more than 2,000 school employees.
“I’m deeply concerned with the Board of Commissioners’ underlying notion that Barrow County School System employees and students are no longer included in their definition of public safety,” board member Kayla Hendrix added.
Families echoed those concerns, pointing to the expanded SRO presence following the deadly shooting at Apalachee High last September, which claimed four lives.
“Clearly the SROs were imperative that day, and they did save lives,” Layla Contreras said. “So why are we trying to cut the budget that funds them?”
Despite the uncertainty, the school board said it remains committed to ensuring at least one deputy is stationed at each school.
“What [the county commission] would like to see happen is that we as a school system be responsible for funding 100% of all direct and indirect costs for all 24 officers that we are staffing now, along with future officers we might add,” Superintendent Dr. Dallas LeDuff explained.
When 11Alive’s Angelina Salcedo asked if the district could sustain that cost alone, the leader responded, “Yes ma’am — that’s a non-negotiable for us as a governance team. We are committed to providing whatever safety measures our students and staff need.”
To help offset the funding shift, the Board of Education approved a potential increase in the millage rate. However, that decision is contingent upon next Tuesday’s county commission meeting.
The district hopes for a resolution that will allow it to continue protecting students without bearing the full cost burden.
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