For the past 25 years, the Hall County School District (HCSD), the Hall County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) and the Hall County Board of Commissioners have worked together to provide a School Resource Officer/Security Program for Hall County’s public schools. Now, a new agreement that was signed Thursday establishes added security for the district’s elementary schools by placing additional certified deputies on patrol around elementary campuses.
Under the updated agreement, the deputies, called School Safety Officers (SSOs), will work in an extra-duty capacity, roaming among the district’s 19 elementary school campuses. They join three roving school resources officers (SROs) who are currently assigned to protect elementary schools. Each of the county’s middle and high schools has a full-time SRO on campus.
The updated agreement comes on the heels of last month’s deadly shooting at Apalachee High School in Barrow County.
Hall County Schools Supt. Will Schofield said the measure underscores the district’s commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of every student and staff member.
“The safety and security of our students and staff are at the forefront of everything we do, and this expanded presence of law enforcement at our elementary schools reinforces our dedication to providing a secure and welcoming environment for learning,” Schofield said.
Sheriff Couch said the SSO plan is one he can implement right away with certified personnel who already work for his office.
“The deputies’ primary job will be to make sure the school buildings are secure, and safety protocols are being followed,” said Sheriff Couch. “Of course, they’ll interact with students and staff with the goal of building additional rapport and trust with law enforcement.”
The SSO assignments are considered extra-duty jobs and compensation will be shared by the school district and the sheriff’s office in a 70/30 split, similar to the agreement for the SRO program.
Both Schofield and Couch emphasized they remain committed to exploring and implementing ways to enhance campus safety with the additional patrols being only one part of the security plan.