JASPER, Tenn. - Marion County has taken a major step forward on the issue of school safety.
At the Marion County Commission's March meeting, County Mayor David Jackson said he had several discussions over the last few weeks with Sheriff Ronnie "Bo" Burnett about school safety in light of recent incidents around the nation.
Jackson, Burnett and the board's finance committee recommended funding for a school resource officer at each of the 10 public schools in the county starting in the next school year.
Seven new officers would cost an estimated $346,808.
"This is a lot of money, but we're talking about the protection of our students, and I think we have to do what we can to ensure our students are safe," Jackson told the board. "Financially, we can do this, and it's what we have to do. The [Marion] school system didn't ask us to do this. We're making the offer to do it, and it is the right thing to do."
The board voted unanimously to approve the plan, which will be added to the county's budget for the next fiscal year.
Several years ago, the board approved a school resource officer for each of the South Pittsburg, Whitwell and Jasper areas in the county, but those three officers cover multiple elementary, middle and high schools at the same time.
County Commissioner Joey Blevins encouraged Marion residents to contact their state and federal representatives to ask for more funding to help counties pay for school safety programs.
County leaders have reached out to Marion Director of Schools Dr. Mark Griffith and Richard Hardy Memorial School Director Cindy Blevins about paying half of the costs for the additional officers needed.
The Marion school system pays half the cost for the current three officers, but Richard Hardy, which is a separate special school district, doesn't have an SRO.
Both superintendents told Jackson they couldn't commit to anything until they see next year's Basic Education Program funding estimates, which should be released in April.
Beth Webb, principal of Richard Hardy Memorial School, said she wanted to thank the board for making the decision to fund an SRO at the school and for "looking out for our most precious resource - our children."
Commissioner Mack Reeves said the county's current SROs have been "a vital asset."
"It's been money well spent," he said.
In fact, Burnett said, there have been four or five incidents in county schools involving threats of violence in recent months, and those officers were "on top of it."
Jackson thanked the board for approving the proposal.
"I know this is not a foolproof solution, but I think it will make the people that have students in our school systems feel a lot better about those kids going to school," he said.
Ryan Lewis is based in Marion County. Contact him at ryanlewis34@gmail.com.