Bladen County Schools is reaffirming its commitment to maintaining School Resource Officers (SROs) in its schools and is asking the Bladen County Board of Commissioners to commit an additional $592,347.88 in county funding to support SRO services for the 2026-27 school year.
The district appreciates the continued commitment of the Bladen County Board of Commissioners, Bladen County Sheriff's Office, North Carolina Center for Safer Schools, and other community partners who work alongside the district to support the safety of students and staff.
School safety is a shared responsibility, and Bladen County Schools remains committed to maintaining strong partnerships with local law enforcement and ensuring that students and staff learn and work in safe, supportive environments.
SROs Are Essential to School Safety
Bladen County Schools considers School Resource Officers an essential part of its school safety strategy. SROs do more than provide a law enforcement presence on campus. They build relationships with students and staff, support emergency preparedness and prevention efforts, assist school administrators, and become trusted members of the school communities they serve.
Bladen County Schools wants SROs in our schools, needs SROs in our schools, and considers their presence essential to the safety of our students and staff.
The question before the district is not whether SROs are needed. The question is how the community can sustainably fund the level of SRO coverage its schools need.
Clarifying the September 21 Board of Education Action
At its September 21 meeting, the Bladen County Board of Education considered a proposal regarding funding for School Resource Officers. Under the proposal presented to the Board, the Bladen County Sheriff's Office would fund one SRO position, while Bladen County Schools would be responsible for funding the remaining 10 positions.
The Board did not approve the proposal because of the significant financial impact that assuming responsibility for 10 SRO positions would have on the school system's budget, even taking into account the current dollars committed from the county and NC Center for Safer Schools grant award.
No motion was made, and the proposal did not pass.
This action should not be interpreted as a lack of support for SROs or for school safety. To the contrary, the district remains committed to maintaining SRO coverage in its schools.
The district is asking the Bladen County Board of Commissioners to provide an additional $592,347.88 to help fund SRO services for the 2026-27 school year. This request represents the projected amount that would remain the responsibility of Bladen County Schools after accounting for the current county allocation and anticipated NC Center for Safer Schools SRO grant funding.
The Growing Cost of SRO Coverage
The financial commitment required to provide SRO coverage has increased substantially in recent years, while the County's annual allocation for SROs has remained at $316,985.
Fiscal Year | Total SRO Costs | County Allocation | SRO Grant Awarded to BCS | BCS Share |
2022-23 | $672,473.84 | $316,985.00 | $264,000.00 | $91,488.84 |
2023-24 | $815,012.30 | $316,985.00 | $255,430.00 | $242,597.30 |
2024-25 | $712,488.67 | $316,985.00 | $264,000.00 | $131,503.67 |
2025-26 | $943,434.00 | $316,985.00 | $264,000.00 | $362,449.00 |
2026-27* | $1,245,332.88 | $316,985.00 | $336,000.00 | $592,347.88 |
The 2026-27 SRO cost is an estimate based on a 32% increase over 2025-26 costs, consistent with the increase experienced between 2024-25 and 2025-26.
The figures above represent the cost of SRO coverage and do not include additional costs associated with special events and extra-duty assignments. During the 2025-26 school year, those additional assignments totaled $23,296.48.
For 2026-27, the projected cost of SRO coverage is $1,245,332.88. After the current county allocation of $316,985 and the anticipated $336,000 in state grant funding, the remaining projected cost is $592,347.88.
Bladen County Schools is not seeking to reduce its commitment to SROs. The district is seeking a sustainable funding partnership that will allow it to maintain the SRO presence its schools and communities need.
State School Safety Grant Funding
Bladen County Schools is also grateful for the additional SRO grant funding awarded for the 2026-27 school year through the North Carolina Center for Safer Schools.
The district received $336,000 in SRO grant funding for 2026-27, an increase from the $264,000 awarded in each of the previous two years.
Prior to the 2025-26 school year, the NC Center for Safer Schools grant program was managed through the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI). Beginning with the 2025-26 school year, oversight of the program transitioned to the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (NC SBI).
Bladen County Schools appreciates the work of state partners in identifying and providing additional resources to support school safety. The district also appreciates the collaboration of its Deputy Superintendent and state partners in pursuing available funding opportunities.
Local Law Enforcement Partnership
Bladen County Schools appreciates Sheriff Jim McVicker and the Bladen County Sheriff's Office for their ongoing partnership and commitment to school safety and for the important role law enforcement officers play in supporting students, staff, and schools throughout Bladen County.
SROs provide an important connection between schools and local law enforcement, helping strengthen communication, emergency preparedness, prevention efforts, and relationships within the school community.
Moving Forward Together
Bladen County Schools recognizes that maintaining a strong SRO program requires collaboration among the school system, county government, sheriff’s department, state partners, and the broader community.
The district is asking the Bladen County Board of Commissioners to commit an additional $592,347.88 for SRO funding for the 2026-27 school year.
“The safety of our students and staff is a shared priority, and we are grateful for the commitment demonstrated by our county commissioners, Sheriff's Office, state, and other community partners,” said Dr. Jason Atkinson, Superintendent of Bladen County Schools. “Our schools need and value the presence of School Resource Officers, and we are committed to doing everything we can to maintain that presence. At the same time, we have a responsibility to be good stewards of public funds. We believe the best path forward is to work together to develop a sustainable funding structure that supports the level of school safety our students and staff deserve.”
Bladen County Schools remains committed to safe schools, strong community partnerships, and ensuring that students and staff have the resources and support necessary to thrive.