School resource officers will be in place at all Liberty County public schools, after board members approved a memorandum of understanding with the sheriff ’s office.

Currently, SROs are in place at Bradwell Institute, Liberty County High School, all three middle schools and Horizons. The MOU approved by board members, in a 4-1 vote, will put a SRO at each of the county’s elementary schools as well. There also will be an additional school resource officer at Bradwell and Liberty County High, under the agreement.

The SRO staff will consist of one lieutenant and one sergeant in supervisory roles plus 14 sheriff ’s deputies. The program has a lieutenant and a sergeant to supervise it now.

“The SROs provide some assurance against violence and serve as a visible proactive deterrent,” Deputy Superintendent Dr. Zheadric Barbra said.

Barbra added the additional SROs provide increased coverage for faculty and staff and roaming officers who can respond to incidents. The SROs also allow for more student interaction with law enforcement in a positive environment.

The cost for the SRO program for the coming school year is $1.92 million. A security grant from the state Department of Education will provide $540,000 in funding and the school system will provide $1.38 million from its operating account.

The sheriff ’s office also can apply up to 20% of its proceeds from the Red-Speed camera fines to help cover the costs.

Board member Dr. Marcus Scott IV, who cast the dissenting vote, questioned the price tag.

“The math doesn’t add up,” he said, referring to what the school system has paid for its current SRO coverage. “Two million dollars is crazy.”

Board members also approved a bid from BAK Builders to make renovations on the Performing Arts Center’s interior.

Built in 1999, the building’s original interior fixtures are beyond their service life, school system operations director Arnold Jackson told board members. The renovations will include new paint for the walls, upgraded restrooms, change to LED lighting in fixtures and replacement of flooring, window blinds and ceiling tiles.

Work on the renovation is expected to start in September and carry into November. The cost is $460,567 and will be funded through education special purpose local option sales tax (ESPLOST) proceeds.