Richland One extends SRO agreements with sheriff and city amid questions about costs and restorative practice

The Rich One School Board of Commissioners on June 9 approved contract extensions with the Richland County Sheriff's Office and the City of Columbia to provide school resource officers (SROs) for the 2026'27 school year following a period of questions from commissioners about cost and program goals.

The administration presented an estimated $3,637,537 memorandum of agreement with the Richland County Sheriff's Department for July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027 and recommended extension of the City of Columbia agreement (administration materials contained the city estimate). After public questions and extended board discussion, both motions carried unanimously.

Commissioner Divine opened the discussion by asking whether the district anticipates additional dollars to be spent in 2026'27 because of proposed increases from partner agencies. "Do we anticipate any additional dollars to be paid out moving forward for 2627?" the commissioner asked. Mr. Grant, answering technical budget questions, said contract costs have increased over time when the district added SROs (for example, increasing from one to two SROs at some high schools) and noted: "We do pay only 75% of the total cost for that officer...because they're only with us 75% of the calendar year." (Mr. Grant described salary and fringe as the main cost drivers.)

Several commissioners emphasized the need to pair security presence with restorative practices and clearer role definitions for SROs. Commissioner Bishop said the board must balance investments in SROs with investment in restorative approaches that change behavior over time; Commissioner Moore urged clarifying SRO roles so staff and administrators understand appropriate engagement in disciplinary situations.

Board members asked staff to pursue a recurring, systematic meeting schedule with the sheriff's office, city police and partner agencies so the board can review incidents and coverage, and to provide periodic school-level incident statistics. Mr. Offing described SRO coverage and said some city assignments had vacancies that are filled by reassignments or road officers as needed.

The record shows the board approved the sheriff and city SRO agreements by unanimous vote following discussion. The administration said equipment (cars, radios) is not paid for by the district; the agreement covers salary and benefits portions of officers' compensation. Mr. Grant also told the board that, because Richland One historically funded SRO positions before some grant programs existed, that long-standing practice limited the district's eligibility for certain state grant supplanting.

The board did not adopt new limitations on SRO activity at the meeting; commissioners asked staff to return with follow-up reporting and to schedule partner meetings.