Push For More SROs Continues In Rockingham County

A plan to add more school resource officers in Rockingham County next school year has stalled. The board of commissioners has instead earmarked other funds to improve school safety in the county's new budget.

Dozens of people attended a public hearing this week to show their support for additional SROs in the school system. Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page was among them. He urged commissioners to approve around $350,000 to hire the officers. Currently, there are five SROs in the district.

The board did not approve his request, but officials say they are studying the issue. They're also looking into possible state and federal grant opportunities that could help pay for more SROs in the future.

North Carolina lawmakers recently approved a state budget, which includes around $35 million for school safety.

Although the push for more SRO funding is on hold for now, the Rockingham County Board of Commissioners has approved money for other safety improvements, including security cameras and a locking door system.

*Follow WFDD's Keri Brown on Twitter @kerib_news