Martin County approves funding package to place four school resource officers in elementary schools

Martin County Commissioners on Aug. 8 approved a $384,172 amendment to the county’s general fund to support four school resource officers at county elementary schools.

Sheriff Tim Manning told the board the state School Safety Grants Program awarded Martin County Schools $133,332 over two years to hire four SROs; the grant requires local matching and additional county-funded equipment. Manning said Martin County Schools will provide a $67,668 match and the county must supply about $167,380 for vehicles, uniforms, training and related equipment. The board adopted the amendment unanimously.

The sheriff’s office plans to assign SROs to Williamston Primary, E.J. Hayes Elementary, Rodgers Elementary and Jamesville Elementary once the positions are filled. Manning said patrol vehicles currently in the department will be reassigned to SRO duties and newly purchased vehicles will replace patrol units taken out of service because of mileage and wear.

Finance Director Cindy Ange presented the budget amendment, which recorded $201,000 in restricted intergovernmental revenue and used $183,172 of fund balance to cover remaining costs. The amendment increases the sheriff’s department appropriation by $384,172.

Board members did not object to the timing or scale of the commitment; the motion passed unanimously. The SRO program will proceed as positions are recruited and equipment procured.