School Board Weighing School Resource Officer Options

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- The Duval County School Board is working the numbers to see if there's another way to provide school security other than employing the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.

School resource officers are costing the district $4.2 million to cover all middle and high schools. Altogether, 55 police officers pull duty during the school year.

The district says the cost of one JSO school resource officer is $75,000 a year.

Board chairman Tommy Hazouri says it's time to look at the numbers and explore options.

"We are not dissatisfied with what they (JSO) are doing," said Hazouri, pointing out with all the budget cuts, all options have to be considered.

One option is expanding the Duval County Public School police force.

Staff told the board money would be saved since school district officers would not command the same salaries as JSO officers.

The school board has committed to using the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office for the upcoming year.

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