Board authorizes superintendent to finalize SRO agreement with City of Paris for two officers

The Paris Independent School Board voted to authorize Superintendent Stephen McCully to enter into a new School Resource Officer (SRO) agreement with the City of Paris providing funding up to $110,000 per year to support two officers.

Board members said the proposed agreement was discussed earlier at the city commission meeting and praised the city manager, police chief and mayor for working to adjust budgets and staffing. McCully told the board the agreement would allow two officers to be present in district schools and said it is especially important for the elementary school, which has not previously had an SRO assigned full time.

"This would be a big deal for especially for the elementary school because they haven't had one," McCully said, describing the added presence as a safety enhancement.

Board member Janice moved to authorize the superintendent to enter the agreement; Bruce seconded the motion and it passed by voice vote. McCully said the district hopes to have final details ironed out before the next board meeting so he can execute the agreement on the board's authority.

The motion recorded in the meeting authorizes the superintendent to sign the agreement up to the stated annual amount; the transcript does not include the final contract text or staffing details beyond the two‑officer figure and the $110,000 cap.