Marion County School Board content with resource officer plan, but what are the plans

Marion County School Board members appear content sticking with the current school resource officer program, despite the rising cost.

Presently, the annual contract for 62 SROs and one roamer (a floater who covers in case someone is sick or out) costs $4.91 million. Countywide, there are 48 schools with a student population of roughly 46,000. There is an officer in every school.

A new contract is on the horizon for July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2028. To maintain that staffing level, the cost would increase to $5.32 million in 2025-26, then $5.47 million for each of the next two years.

The Marion County Sheriff’s Office cost ($75,000 per deputy) remains the same for the three years. But both the Ocala and the Belleview police departments would increase their costs.

OPD officials said the reason for the hike is because they’re charging for the actual cost of an officer. Salaries vary with years of experience.

Aside from the first option — continuing to have SROs from the three law enforcement agencies staffing the schools — the school board on Thursday was given two other options to consider: have only deputies at all schools; or have deputies at all elementary schools, including those in Belleview and Ocala, and have an OPD presence in only middle and high schools inside Ocala. (Belleview one staffs one school, Belleview Elementary.)

Board members all preferred the current approach, though they hoped to work out a lower cost. They asked Dennis McFatten, a retired sheriff’s deputy who now serves as the school district’s executive director of safety and security, to meet with law enforcement officials and seek ways to reduce the cost.

Those attending the Thursday morning board meeting were board Chairwoman Lori Conrad, Vice Chair Rev. Eric Cummings, and board members Sarah James, Allison Campbell and Nancy Thrower. Sheriff Billy Woods, Ocala Police Chief Mike Balken and Belleview Police Chief Terry Holland also were there.

Balken said having an OPD officer working at schools within the city limits makes more sense. He said his officers provide mentorship, gather information that can be shared with all of the agencies to prevent crime, are familiar with the students, and have a vested interest in the school and community.

Woods told board members he has every confidence in the chiefs and said that their officers would continue to do a good job protecting children.

Contact Austin L. Miller at austin.miller@starbanner.com