Henderson County Pledges Support for School Resource Officers in City Schools - TribPapers
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Henderson County Pledges Support for School Resource Officers in City Schools

The Henderson County Board of Commissioners announced their commitment to uphold reimbursements to the City of Hendersonville for the deployment of City Police Officers as School Resource Officers (SRO) in the four County schools located within the city limits for the upcoming 2024-2025 school year. Board Chair Rebecca McCall cited careful consideration and collaboration with fellow Commissioners in reaching the decision to provide partial funding for City Police Officer SROs, acknowledging the potential financial strain on the City of Hendersonville if the responsibility were solely borne by them. This strategic move by the Board of Commissioners affirms the County's unwavering pledge to foster a secure educational environment by ensuring a consistent law enforcement presence within County schools. Initiated in 2018, the commitment by the Henderson County Board of Commissioners to station School Resource Officers in all Henderson County Public Schools has been instrumental in enhancing safety and security across the educational landscape. In 2021, the Board of Commissioners established reimbursements to cover 82% of the costs incurred by the City of Hendersonville for Police Officers serving County schools, including Hendersonville High School, Hendersonville Middle School, Hendersonville Elementary School, and Bruce Drysdale Elementary School. This annual financial support amounted to $250,000 during the recent academic year. At the County budget retreat held on May 15th, discussions pertaining to the SROs assigned to the four schools within Hendersonville's City limits transpired, yet no definitive resolutions were reached regarding the continuation of funding or the potential transfer of responsibility to the Henderson County Sheriff, responsible for SRO services in the remaining 19 County schools. This deliberation remains an annual budget consideration managed by the Board of Commissioners. As part of the County's standard practice, the allocation for this program will be reassessed during the 2025/2026 budget process, aligning with the County's commitment to prudent fiscal management and collaborative decision-making.

Hendersonville – The Henderson County Board of Commissioners announced their commitment to uphold reimbursements to the City of Hendersonville for the deployment of City Police Officers as School Resource Officers (SRO) in the four County schools located within the city limits for the upcoming 2024-2025 school year.

Board Chair Rebecca McCall cited careful consideration and collaboration with fellow Commissioners in reaching the decision to provide partial funding for City Police Officer SROs, acknowledging the potential financial strain on the City of Hendersonville if the responsibility were solely borne by them.

This strategic move by the Board of Commissioners affirms the County’s unwavering pledge to foster a secure educational environment by ensuring a consistent law enforcement presence within County schools.

Initiated in 2018, the commitment by the Henderson County Board of Commissioners to station School Resource Officers in all Henderson County Public Schools has been instrumental in enhancing safety and security across the educational landscape.

In 2021, the Board of Commissioners established reimbursements to cover 82% of the costs incurred by the City of Hendersonville for Police Officers serving County schools, including Hendersonville High School, Hendersonville Middle School, Hendersonville Elementary School, and Bruce Drysdale Elementary School. This annual financial support amounted to $250,000 during the recent academic year.

At the County budget retreat held on May 15th, discussions pertaining to the SROs assigned to the four schools within Hendersonville’s City limits transpired, yet no definitive resolutions were reached regarding the continuation of funding or the potential transfer of responsibility to the Henderson County Sheriff, responsible for SRO services in the remaining 19 County schools. This deliberation remains an annual budget consideration managed by the Board of Commissioners. As part of the County’s standard practice, the allocation for this program will be reassessed during the 2025/2026 budget process, aligning with the County’s commitment to prudent fiscal management and collaborative decision-making.