Police Resource Officers are going to be reduced in Hancock County schools.
………We all know that the school budget needs to be reduced to make up the deficit. Last week saw many of our teachers and school service personnel given noticed they will part of the reduction in point. But, now I’ve learned the Superintendent Walt Saunders will only spend 75% of the amount allocated for PRO officers in the Excess Levy. The language in section i in the levy calls for expenditure of safety-related equipment, etc. We need to know what that 25% is being spent on and why it is deemed to be more effective than a PRO officer.
……I wonder how you decide which school has its Police Resource Officer taken away? It’s been a point of pride that the Hancock County Board of Education has seen to it that every school in the County has a Police Resource Officer. The safety and well-being of our children was a priority second to none. Saunders plans to cut 1to 2 police resource officers in the northern end of the County and 1 to 2 in the southern end.
……..Under the section i in the Levy, Saunders notes “there are several security items listed. Police Resource Officers are part of that list. The limit of $725,000.00 is allocated for this entry. Our current expenditure exceeds this limit,” said Saunders. “This does not allow levy funds to be expended for any other security enhancement items listed under the letter i. I spoke with Sheriff Gittings and Chief Kush about reducing the number of PROs next year. We are working on how we can support all the schools with the proposed reduction.”
…………Saunders proposed using 75% of the $725,000.00 for the Police Resource Officers or $525,000.00 towards protecting our kids. While we understand decisions for the County school system are being made in Charleston, this decision should not be made without local input. Those are our children he is putting at risk!
