News Summary
Governor Henry McMaster has announced a significant increase in funding for school safety in South Carolina, allocating $29.4 million to hire School Resource Officers (SROs) for all public schools. This initiative aims to address safety gaps and enhance security measures across the state’s education system, ensuring that all students can learn in a safe environment. The funding will also support additional safety programs, showcasing a long-term commitment to improving school security and attracting qualified professionals for these crucial roles.
Spartanburg, South Carolina – Governor Henry McMaster announced significant advancements in school safety as the state secures funding for armed, full-time School Resource Officers (SROs) at all public schools. This initiative aims to bolster security across the state’s education system and ensures that every student is protected while they learn.
During a press conference held at Spartanburg School District Five’s Middle Tyger Elementary School, Governor McMaster unveiled the final appropriations from a newly approved budget amounting to $29.4 million. This funding will be directed towards hiring, training, and equipping qualified individuals for the role of SRO, particularly addressing the needs of the remaining 177 public schools that currently lack full-time coverage.
Since 2018, there has been a notable decrease in the number of schools without a full-time SRO, going from 800 schools down to 119 schools. Additionally, the number of filled full-time SRO positions has increased significantly, from just 406 positions in 2018 to 58 new positions filled by the Department of Public Safety as of July this year.
The initiative reflects a broader commitment to enhance educational safety, specifically targeting the escalating demands for security in schools that Governor McMaster identified four years ago. His administration set the goal of employing a trained SRO in every school to fill the extensive gaps in security that were evident in 2018.
The funding derived from the General Assembly’s progressive financial support towards the School Resource Officer Program has seen consistent increases over the past seven years. The establishment of the new Center for School Safety and Targeted Violence within the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) is another strategic effort designed to improve school safety, emphasizing active shooter response and violence prevention training.
Alongside the funding for SROs, the General Assembly has allocated $20 million annually for enhancing overall school safety measures. A separate allocation of $5 million for a statewide school safety mapping program aims to identify potential emergency hotspots within schools throughout South Carolina.
Efforts to recruit qualified candidates for the SRO positions continue, with the Department of Public Safety actively encouraging applications. State Senator Shane Martin underscored the necessity of finding dedicated individuals who genuinely care about the well-being of children, stressing that the role is not just about filling positions but ensuring qualified professionals are in place.
In addition to enhancing school safety, Governor McMaster also announced plans to improve education funding across various areas. One of the primary objectives includes raising starting teacher salaries to reach $50,000 by the upcoming academic year, aiming to attract and retain talented educators in South Carolina.
The ongoing commitment to school safety and qualified SRO hiring not only addresses immediate safety concerns but also reinforces the importance of creating a secure learning environment for students across the state. As a seasoned School Resource Officer with over 31 years of experience pointed out, ensuring safety within educational institutions is paramount in fostering an atmosphere conducive to learning.
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Additional Resources
- WYFF4: South Carolina Funding School Resource Officer Program
- WLTX: Funding for SRO in Every South Carolina School
- Encyclopedia Britannica: School Safety
- WISTV: Governor McMaster Provides Update on SRO Program
- Google Search: South Carolina School Resource Officers
Author: STAFF HERE SPARTANBURG
The SPARTANBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESpartanburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Spartanburg, Spartanburg County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Spartanburg International Festival, Spartanburg ArtWalk, and motorsport events at Spartanburg Speedway. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Spartanburg Area Chamber of Commerce and the Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System Foundation, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and textiles that power the local economy such as BMW Manufacturing and Milliken & Company. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
