Parents, school board agree about school resource officers in Orange County

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Updated  December 11, 2024 9:03am EST
FOX 35 Orlando
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Parents, school board agree about Orange County SROs

Parents and school board members in Orange County are pushing to keep school resource officers (SROs) on campuses amid budget disputes with law enforcement agencies.

ORLANDO, Fla. - Parents and school board members in Orange County are pushing to keep school resource officers (SROs) on campuses for the 2025-26 school year amid budget disputes with law enforcement agencies. 

During a meeting Tuesday, the board considered using Florida's "Guardian Program" for approximately 30 schools next year if agreements cannot be reached with five local police departments. However, there were deep frustrations among board members and parents.

Several board members voiced their preference for maintaining SROs, emphasizing their critical role in school safety. Unlike armed guardians, SROs are fully trained law enforcement officers equipped to handle arrests, de-escalation tactics, and crisis situations. 

"We want to make sure that only trained law enforcement officers are the ones bringing firearms to the school campus," one parent said.

Currently, Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) has a one-year contract with four law enforcement agencies — Apopka, Winter Park, Ocoee, Winter Garden, and Windermere — that expires at the end of June 2025. Those same agencies rejected a three-year contract.

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The district says it faces $16 million in additional costs not covered by state funding, with the agencies requesting an extra $2 million beyond current reimbursement rates.

Under the existing deal, OCPS agreed to a 20% raise in SRO reimbursements this school year, bringing the cost to $72,000 per officer, with a 2% annual increase over the next two years. Despite these efforts, tensions remain high. 

"It’s a little scary that our children’s safety can be negotiated, especially based on dollars," one parent said. Board member Angie Gallo expressed frustration, asking, "Anyone else sick to their stomach that we are having this conversation?"

Since the one-year contract ends in June, and it takes six months to hire and train armed guardians, the district must decide by the end of January 2025.

To be clear, officers will still receive their full salary, but if the school district reimburses them $72,000, the agency will pay the rest of their salary.

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