The Cherokee County Board of Education and Cherokee County Commission Chairman Tim Burgess continued the much talked about topic of a School Resource Officer Program in Cherokee County Schools during a work session held on Tuesday afternoon.

A significant amount of time was given to discussion of the potential costs, and division of those costs, among the County Commission, the Board of Education and the Sheriff’s Office. Burgess rehashed his presentation given during the previous meeting (link provided below) which included reoccurring costs to the commission which would include insurance and other related costs. Burgess also presented spread sheets based on what a deputy’s steps and grade are within the county pay scale.

County Commission Chairman Tim Burgess Meets With School Board To Discuss SRO Funding

Board members were then given an opportunity to engage in questions which led to a lengthy but very productive discussion. School Board President Brian Jennings said “The Board is ever closer to beginning an SRO program for Cherokee County students. This is an important program that we must offer to our students in this county.”

The Board will be sending a letter to the County Commission stating how many officers the Board is willing to fund and what the dollar amount is going to be. The Board will hold another work session next Tuesday and go into Executive Session to iron out details with hopes by October 1 to be able to approve and empower the administrators, sheriff’s office, commission, superintendent and board to develop and enact a plan.

We will continue to follow this story and will provide additional updates as these proceedings take place.