News Summary
South Carolina has announced that every public school in the state will employ a full-time school resource officer (SRO) as part of a major initiative to enhance school safety. Governor Henry McMaster emphasized the importance of safeguarding students and staff, backed by a $29.4 million budget allocation for SRO salaries and training. Despite the notable increase in law enforcement presence in schools, some institutions still lack designated SROs. The push for hiring qualified officers aims to create a secure educational environment across the state.
Spartanburg County, South Carolina – In a significant step towards enhancing school safety, South Carolina announced that every public school in the state will hire a full-time school resource officer (SRO). This initiative, introduced by Governor Henry McMaster during a press conference, underscores the administration’s unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety of children in educational environments.
The announcement marks a key achievement for McMaster, who has prioritized school safety since assuming office. To support this initiative, the state budget has allocated an additional $29.4 million specifically for the salaries, training, and necessary equipment for these full-time SROs. This funding is essential for the state to become a national leader in school safety, as emphasized by McMaster.
The primary objective of this initiative is to safeguard all students, teachers, and staff members across South Carolina’s public schools. The General Assembly has demonstrated a progressive approach towards funding SRO programs, consistently increasing financial resources since 2018 to support their placement in schools. Notably, the management of the SRO program has transitioned from the South Carolina Department of Education to the Department of Public Safety.
Since 2019, the presence of law enforcement officers on school campuses has surged from 406 to nearly 1,200 schools throughout the state. However, reports indicate that at the beginning of this school year, 119 out of 1,283 schools did not have their designated SRO. Funding remains available for these remaining schools, allowing them to hire SROs as soon as qualified candidates are identified.
The South Carolina Department of Public Safety has allocated resources for approximately 60 new SRO positions since receiving funding in July and has initiated the hiring process to fill the 119 remaining vacancies for SROs. To ensure that passionate and dedicated individuals are hired to oversee children’s safety, state officials have emphasized the importance of finding candidates who are genuinely committed to fostering a safe learning environment.
Among the SROs, Cpl. Tommie Brooks, stationed at Tyger River Elementary, highlights the importance of having a safety presence to nurture a conducive atmosphere for education. As this hiring initiative progresses, Governor McMaster remains committed to promoting school safety upgrades and is open to feedback and suggestions from educators and parents.
In addition to the focus on SROs, McMaster is advocating for an increase in the starting salary for teachers to $50,000. The executive budget for the fiscal year 2025-2026 supports the hiring of certified SROs in schools that currently have vacancies. This budget includes $21 million in recurring funds, along with an additional $8 million in one-time funding dedicated to SRO training and equipment.
This collaborative effort is a testament to the bipartisan support from state lawmakers who have worked together to allocate resources for the security of South Carolina’s schools. As the initiative gains momentum, parents, students, and educators alike await the further implementation of these important safety measures across the state.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
South Carolina Enhances School Safety with Full-Time SROs
Governor McMaster Enhances School Safety Funding in South Carolina
Man Arrested Following Dangerous Police Chase in Spartanburg
Shooting at Juneteenth Celebration Leaves One Dead, Nine Injured
Spartanburg Council Cuts Sheriff Aviation Budget
Interim Sheriff Corrects Oaths for Spartanburg County Deputies
Spartanburg Celebrates Memorial Day with Food and Community Spirit
Schools in Spartanburg Lockdown After Shooting Incident
Investigations Underway into Arson Incidents in Spartanburg
Woman Injured in Drive-By Shooting in Spartanburg County
Additional Resources
- Bluffton Today
- Wikipedia: School Resource Officer
- Live 5 News
- Google Search: South Carolina school resource officer safety
- Spectrum News
- Google Scholar: School Resource Officer program South Carolina
- WIS TV
- Encyclopedia Britannica: School Safety
- Count on 2 News
- Google News: South Carolina school resource officer funding
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.
