Some Hamilton County school board members want to explore security options outside of traditional school resource officers for the county’s schools, but others aren’t on board with the plan.
Board member Tucker McClendon, of District 8, proposed directing the school district to explore private security options, such as contracting private security officers or even providing first aid or emergency training to school staff and students, at the board’s meeting Thursday.
But after lengthy debate, no decision was made, and the board tabled the idea until next month’s meeting.
“This just gives [Superintendent Bryan] Johnson the authority to put out some type of [request for proposal] that looks at what is out there,” McClendon said. “We don’t have to sign anything or agree to anything, but let’s see what we can do to make our schools more secure.”
Currently, only 31 schools in the district have a full-time school resource officer. Nine additional positions, which are filled by the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, were budgeted for this school year but remain vacant, leaving nearly 45 schools without an SRO.