Manatee County Commissioners vote against funding for additional school resource officers

MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — On Tuesday, Manatee County Commissioners voted against helping the school district fund the addition of more school resource officers.  

The district is required to add about thirty more SRO’s to comply with new state regulations after the Parkland school shooting. School leaders were hoping county commissioners would split the cost of the additional officers. The district was asking commissioners for about $1.3 million.  

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“I think it would be irresponsible for us to commit to paying for this unfunded mandate before we get into our full budget picture,” said Commissioner Betsy Benac.

School leaders said they will look for other alternatives with the Sheriff’s office.

“I’m disappointed, we will go back to the drawing board,” said Dep. Superintendent Ron Ciranna.

Some commissioners feared they would have to ask taxpayers for an increase if they gave the school district more money.

The county will still help fund the SROs that are currently in the middle and high schools.