News Summary
Governor Henry McMaster has announced critical funding to place school resource officers in every public school across South Carolina. This initiative aims to address 177 current officer vacancies and enhance safety measures in schools. With bipartisan support, the state will allocate $21 million in recurring funds and an additional $8 million for training and equipment, marking a significant commitment to school safety. The initiative aims to increase the number of schools with full-time SROs significantly and ensure a secure learning environment for students.
Duncan, South Carolina – Governor Henry McMaster has announced that South Carolina’s public schools are poised for significant advancements in security with the final funding secured for a state initiative to place a school resource officer (SRO) in every public school. This initiative aims to bolster safety measures across school campuses statewide.
During a press conference held at Tyger River Elementary School, which opened its doors in the fall of 2024, McMaster emphasized the importance of ensuring that all public schools have certified SROs. His executive budget for fiscal year 2025-2026 specifically prioritizes the hiring of these individuals. The recent allocation by the state’s general assembly provided $21 million in recurring funds to address 177 SRO vacancies that remain across South Carolina.
In addition to the recurring funds, an extra $8 million has been dedicated as one-time funding for SRO training and necessary equipment. As of the press conference on August 27, approximately 100 vacancies were still open out of the initial 177 SRO positions identified. McMaster noted that funding has been distributed to each school district that has an SRO vacancy, allowing efforts to accelerate the hiring process.
This funding initiative is backed by bipartisan support from legislators, with State Senator Shane Martin from Spartanburg advocating for the inclusion of SRO funding in the state budget. The effective increase in the number of schools with full-time SROs is notable, rising from 406 in 2018 to 1,106 by the beginning of the 2024-2025 school year, highlighting a substantial commitment to school safety.
The newly secured funding is directed towards filling positions at the 119 remaining schools that currently do not have an SRO. McMaster stressed that the effort focuses on hiring safety-qualified individuals genuinely committed to fostering a secure environment for students and staff. It is crucial to prioritize candidates who are not only familiar with law enforcement but also passionate about the welfare of the school community.
The state has been proactive in allocating resources for school safety, investing over $20 million annually toward improving safety protocols and practices over the last three years. Furthermore, in the upcoming fiscal year 2024-2025, an additional $5 million has been assigned to a statewide school safety mapping program, aiming to further enhance safety measures and preparedness in schools.
Additionally, recent efforts by the Department of Public Safety have seen 58 new SRO positions filled since the latest funding was allocated, indicating ongoing efforts to address the vacancies amid continuous recruitment initiatives. In his address, McMaster also pointed to his aim of increasing starting teacher salaries from $48,500 to $50,000 in response to the broader need for competitive compensation in the education sector.
The push for an SRO in every public school not only relates to immediate safety concerns but also underlines the ongoing efforts to create conducive learning environments for students. School resource officers play a pivotal role in establishing a sense of security necessary for effective education.
Moving forward, McMaster’s administration plans to maintain collaborations with educators and parents to enhance and develop comprehensive school safety measures that address the unique needs of each school community across South Carolina.
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Additional Resources
- WYFF4 News
- WLTX News
- WLOS News
- Wikipedia: School resource officer
- Live 5 News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: School police
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