To increase security at schools, 44 active security guards will return to elementary, middle and high schools this school year.
The Alachua County School Board unanimously approved funding for four school liaison officer programs at its August 21 meeting.
The programs, which went into effect Aug. 1, create partnerships with local districts covering the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office and cities including Alachua, High Springs and Gainesville. Each program was funded through a mix of Florida Department of Education Safe Schools grants, the ACSB and state government funds.
Since the passage of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Act in 2018, every school in Florida is required to have at least one SRO.
ACPS has filled 44 campus officer vacancies over the past two years, ACPS communications director Jackie Johnson wrote in an email.
Doug Pelton, district safety chief for ACPS, said the programs “clearly outline the responsibilities of SROs (school resource officers) at schools.”
“We’re just glad that the SROs are supporting our district and our students and that they’re going to be there to support them and keep them safe,” Pelton said.
The first program approved at the meeting will have ACSO employ one deputy each at 15 elementary schools, middle schools and high schools. In addition, two officers will cover Buchholz High School and Eastside High School. The Alachua County School Board will pay its annual share of $1,819,659 to fund the program.
The second program will see the Gainesville Police Department send one officer each to 14 elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools. Additionally, two officers will staff Gainesville High School and the A. Quinn Jones Center. ACSB will pay its annual share of funding for the program at $1,514,775.
The third program will see the Alachua Police Department place one officer at each of three local schools. In addition, two officers will be placed at Santa Fe High School. ACSB will pay its annual share of $299,574 to fund the program.
The fourth program calls for the High Springs Police Department to employ two officers at High Springs Community School. The board will pay its annual share of $134,645 to fund the program.
In addition to training at the academy, SROs will complete specialized training in the care and education of young people, including mental health crisis prevention, under state law enacted in 2024.
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The number of SROs needed for each school depends on campus size, school climate, location, and the number of non-sworn security team members or staff trained in proactive security measures.
Contact Sara-James Ranta at [email protected]. Follow her on X @sarajamesranta.
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Sara-James Ranta is a third-year journalism student with a minor in sociology of social justice and policy. She previously worked as a general assignment reporter on the university desk of The Alligator.
