Franklin County Commissioners Table Budget Decision: Trying to Find Funding Solution for School Security Officers

The Franklin County Commissioners met on Jan. 15 to hear committee reports and discuss amending the general county budget next year to pay for special resource officers (SROs) in all schools. No action was taken, but the commissioners agreed to have a work session on Wednesday, Jan. 23, and to meet again in a special called meeting at 7 p.m., Friday, Jan. 25, to review the results of the work session and take a vote. Both meetings will take place in the Annex Building, 839 Dinah Shore Blvd., Winchester.

“Of course, on everyone’s mind is security and safety at our schools,” said Franklin County Director of Schools Rebecca Sharber. She reported to the commission that area police departments have been assessing the school buildings, and recommendations will be coming to the school board soon.

“The school board approved a resolution to fund the program for the remainder of the year,” Sharber said. [See adjacent story for details.] “Depending on what you decide on the county general budget, you may or may not need our resolution,” she said.

“We need SROs in our schools,” said County Mayor Richard Stewart. “And we need to use the money in the most economical way. Whether you decide to table or take this amendment to committee, we need to get something done quickly,” he said.

“We need to be very careful that we make the right decision, because funding goes on from here,” said County Commissioner David Eldridge.

“Have we thought through alternative issues and funding?” asked Eldridge. 

Eldridge then made a motion to table the issue, and schedule a work session with a representative of the County Technical Assistance Service (the state agency that aids county governments) on Wednesday, Jan. 23, in order “to explore options fully, and that we understand funding,” said Eldridge.

The commissioners voted 9 to 6 to table the amendment and send it to a work session at 6 p.m. on Jan. 23 at the Annex Building.

“There are things we cannot do without having a workshop,” said commissioner Angie Fuller. “We are not against the SRO program, we just have to make sure what we are doing is right.”Commissioner Sherwood Ebey said, “The problem I have with this is that we have not been able to have a discussion.”

“We are not against SROs,” said commissioner Johnny Hughes. “We just have to be able to talk with people before deciding on this issue.”

Ebey and Hughes encourage concerned citizens to contact them with their thoughts on this issue. Fifth district school board representative Chris McDonough also welcomes input.