Out of concern for local students, Gordon County Sheriff Mitch Ralston implores Gordon County BOE to provide SROs in every county school
On Thursday morning, March 22, Gordon County Sheriff Mitch Ralston delivered a letter to each of the seven members of the Gordon County School Board and Superintendent Dr. Susan Remillard at the Gordon County Board of Education Office in reference to “School Security and School Resource Officers.”
The letter in full states:
“As each of you know, the recent tragedies of mass shooting at schools across America ( have) propelled the issue of school security to the forefront of the mind of every student, parent, teacher, faculty member, and any other person who loves our children. The people of this county have spoken loud and clear to me of this matter, and as their sheriff, I have heard their concerns. It is often said that our children are our most important resource. I say they are the very lifeblood of our community. In Mark 10: 13, we read that Jesus said, ‘ Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them.’
“As recently as Tuesday ( March 20), another high school, in Maryland, suffered from the attack of a gunman against students. This gunman was stopped by the quick action of a school resource officer ( SRO), highlighting the need for such officers in our school system. As you know, I currently provide three deputies as school resource officers in the county schools at to the Board of Education. I have provided this service since I took office in 2009. Now I believe it is urgent that a serious dialogue be opened to arrange for the placement of deputy sheriffs as SROs in each and every county school, as has been called for by so many of the citizens we all serve. I am a lifelong public servant. I am not an educator. As your sheriff, my business is safety and security, holding those who choose to break our laws and harm others, especially t he vulnerable, accountable.
“ This funding, I most sincerely believe, as you all are the independent governing authority with sole responsibility for all aspects, especially safety, of our public school system.
“A cost projection for this urgently needed funding breaks down as follows:
- Salary for 24 sworn deputy sheriffs at $ 98,469.63 ( includes base salary + benefits/ FICA) each: $ 2,363,271.10.
- Individually- issued equipment ( uniforms, personal equipment, body cameras, portable radios, etc.) @ $ 7,060.20 each: $ 169,444.80.
- 24 fully- outfitted ( l i ghts, sirens, cameras, etc.) patrol cars @ $ 36,000.00 each: $ 864,000.00
- 24 metal- detecting security wands @ $ 140.00 each: $ 3360.00
- 12 walk- through metal detectors ( as used at the courthouse) @ $ 6,000.00 each: $ 72,000.00
In addition to funding the deputy sheriffs necessary to provide total coverage for the school campuses, I would highly recommend that the Board of Education enhance or initiate video camera systems which would allow for the surveillance of each and every classroom as well as all parking areas. This will allow the deputies on duty at each of the schools to monitor critical locations in real time.
I am sure that each of you realizes the urgent need to provide for the safety of the students, visitors, faculty, and staff of