Madison local schools contract with Butler County Sheriff's Office

MIDDLETOWN, Ohio - Madison Local School District voted last week to contract with the Butler County Sheriff's Office to supply a deputy for the rest of the school year, beginning Monday, according to the Middletown Journal.

The contract allows for a uniformed officer to serve the entire campus during days that students are in session.

"We wanted to do something right now that would provide a sense of security for our students, staff and families," said Madison Local Schools Superintendent Curtis Philpot to 9 On Your Side. "Reinstating our SRO was something we thought was money well spent to at least provide that safety and security till the end of the year."

Philpot says the maximum amount allotted for the contract is $10,800 for the remainder of the school year.

In 2011, the student resource officer position was eliminated in Madison schools due to budget constraints in the district and the sheriff's department.

Superintendent Curtis Philpot told the Middletown Journal having the SRO on campus was “a necessity,” and he was confident the district could “shoulder the financial burden” the rest of the remainder of the school year. Philpot also said he would allow the district time to seek options for additional dollars through government funds or grants.

The superintendent said administrators and board members have had discussions on enhanced security measures in the wake of several school-related tragedies across the country.

Hiring a sheriff deputy was the “best way to immediately increase security” and allow time to see what policies or mandates may emerge as a result of these talks, according to Philpot.

Read more: www.middletownjournal.com/news/news/local/madison-decides-officer-in-schools-a-necessity/nWC2P/