The school board and fiscal court took action in separate meetings Thursday night to add a school resource officer position to the sheriff’s office, clearing the way for an SRO to return to the middle school campus.
Superintendent Jason Faulkner first brought the request to the school board to modify the board’s contract with the sheriff’s office to expand the agreement from providing one SRO officer to two officers. Faulkner said the agreement will also change with the City of Columbia, which has been providing three officers but now will provide two.
Faulkner said City Police Chief Evan Burton has tried to fill the position all semester and had some potential candidates, but those efforts never worked out. He said the sheriff’s office has someone interested in filling the position through the sheriff’s department.
Chief Burton attended the school board and fiscal court meetings, stating he was there to answer questions and clarify any information as needed.
The new agreement will only be in place for the current school year, Faulkner said. In the summer of 2026, they will again review the process and determine how to move forward.
For this current year, however, funds that would have gone to the city will instead go to the sheriff’s office toward the SRO position.
The school district receives $20,000 from the state for each SRO position held. Those funds have been forwarded to the law enforcement agency providing those officers. The law enforcement agency is responsible for additional costs, such as for a vehicle, uniforms, etc.
Sheriff Gary Roy told the fiscal court he has the funding in his budget because he had an officer who was working full time who has moved to part time. He will use those budgeted funds toward any needs for the new SRO position.
Faulkner told both the school board and fiscal court that he considers it appropriate to have equal SRO positions with the city and county governments as a way for everyone to be involved in protecting our youth.
“Keeping our kids safe should be everybody's responsibility,” Faulkner told the school board.
Sheriff Gary Roy told the fiscal court he had been approached by parents asking if the sheriff’s office could provide an officer at the middle school due to the ongoing vacancy. He didn’t think it was possible until he had an officer move to part time and thought this was the perfect opportunity to help fill the position.
“We have a golden opportunity here to provide safety and security at that school, and it’s not costing us anymore money,” Roy said.
The school board and the fiscal court approved amending their contract to allow for the new SRO position.
Chief Burton spoke briefly to the fiscal court, endorsing the action after noting that the city has provided three of the four SROs for years. While the middle school position has remained vacant all semester, Burton said he and his officers have been adding extra patrol and going to the school.
“I’m glad this is happening, though. This is a good partnership,” he said.
Faulkner complimented the new arrangement, saying it shows “all three entities working together to try to keep kids safe.”
SRO positions at Adair County Primary Center and Adair County High School are employed by the city while an officer at the Adair County Elementary School is employed through the sheriff’s office. Sheriff Roy has confirmed that former Sheriff Josh Brockman fill the SRO position at Adair County Middle School beginning in January.
By Sharon Burton
snburton@adairfvoice.com
