Latest news with #BarrowCounty
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Barrow County faces backlash over proposed cuts to school resource officer funding
The Brief Barrow County plans to reduce funding for school resource officers, supporting only 12 of 25 positions, reversing a previous cost-sharing agreement with the school board. The decision follows the Board of Education's approval of eight new officers after a deadly shooting, increasing community demand for enhanced school security. The proposed funding cut would shift over $800,000 in costs to the Barrow County School Board, prompting community rallies and calls for prioritizing long-term safety solutions. BARROW COUNTY, Ga. - A contentious funding debate in Barrow County has ignited community concern over proposed changes to school safety staffing, with parents rallying to oppose a county plan that would cut funding for school resource officers. SEE ALSO: Barrow County approves $182M budget for 2026 with no tax increase What we know The Barrow County Board of Commissioners is moving to scale back its share of funding for school resource officers, planning to support only 12 of the 25 positions beginning July 1. That marks a sharp reversal from a cost-sharing agreement established in 2017, in which the county and school board evenly split the cost of school-based law enforcement. The decision comes just months after the Board of Education approved eight new officers in the wake of a deadly shooting at Apalachee High School — an event that intensified community demands for heightened school security. What they're saying "Our students deserve to feel supported, safe and respected now more than ever," one parent said during a community rally Monday night. "Announcing budget cuts and reductions during the summer, when students should be enjoying a break, adds unnecessary stress and sends the wrong message about our priorities." The proposed shift would place more than $800,000 in additional costs on the Barrow County School Board to continue the existing level of officer staffing. School officials have stated they remain committed to keeping the SRO program in place. "We are confident the Board of Education will provide a safe and secure school environment for students in Barrow County with effective and efficient use of taxpayer money," another parent said. What's next During the rally, families urged elected officials to prioritize long-term solutions that reflect the county's values and maintain transparency throughout the process. The county government says the budget proposal remains under review and will be finalized in the next two weeks. Meanwhile, families with children in the district say they are left waiting — and worrying — about how the final decision will affect campus safety. SEE ALSO: Barrow County Board of Education stands firm on SRO program amid funding dispute Apalachee High School graduates remember victims during ceremony Apalachee High shooting: Judge rules on Colin Gray venue change request New scholarship honors coach killed in Apalachee HS shooting Apalachee HS hosts 'Barrow Together' event thanking community for support after shooting The Source The details in this article come from a rally on spending by Barrow County Schools. Previous FOX 5 Atlanta reports were also used.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Special meeting called to address funding of Barrow Co. school resource officers
Barrow County Commissioners called a special meeting Monday night to discuss a plan to change the way school resource officers (SROs) are funded. Commissioners explained to the crowd that the county has split the cost of deputies in schools with the board of education since 1997. By 2017, the number of SROs in schools rose to 12, and both agencies agreed to pay 50/50 to fund the program. Last fall, Barrow County School System said it increased the number of SROs from 12 to 16 due to population. In September, the Board of Education announced plans to raise that number to 24 after the deadly mass shooting at Apalachee High School. However, in November, county commissioners said voters decided to exempt senior citizens of a certain age and income from paying school taxes. Because of that, some commissioners argue they cannot help the board pay for the SRO program. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] 'I have a fiscal responsibility to you guys as tax payers, okay?' Commissioner Kenny Shook told the crowd. Commission Chairman Pat Graham told people at the meeting, 'Senior citizens that are exempt must be ensured they aren't paying any school expenses through their county property tax bill.' Commissioner Alex Ward and Joe Goodman argued deputies' work extends beyond the campus. 'I feel we, ultimately, should be a partner with the school system,' said Goodman. The board said the current budget proposal they are considering honors a 2017 agreement to help pay for 12 SROs. Commission spokesperson Brian Stewart said expect that to change to zero at a later date, 'to ensure the citizens of Barrow County are not backdoor taxed on a school system function.' Commission Chairman Graham said the Board of Education has enough money saved up to pay for the cost of all 24 SROs. 'We know that they can do it, and we know that they will,' said Graham. Last Tuesday, Barrow County School System staff presented a budget plan to the Board of Education, and agreed the board does have enough funds to pay for the SRO program. Staff did not recommend using savings to pay for the SROs because it is a recurring cost. Instead, staff recommends the board raise property taxes to pay for it. The Board of Education has public hearings on June 12 and June 23 before a final vote on the budget June 24. County Commissioners vote on their budget June 24. Their public comment hearing happened Monday evening. TRENDING STORIES: 2 women critically injured after shooting on I-20 Driver pulls out knife on couple driving too slow in Kennesaw neighborhood, police say Georgia man drowns after caught in Gulf rip current Five people signed up to speak. One of them was Apalachee High School teacher Charity Lee. 'This year? This year some of you are questioning whether the county should fund SROs after an officer saved lives in our school? You're asking if it's worth it? Could you be more callous?' Lee told commissioners. She said she does not buy the senior tax exemption excuse. 'Our SROs are not school employees. They are fully sworn deputies, many with SWAT training who serve our campuses and the broader community,' said Lee. Barrow United members carried signs into the commissioner meeting that urged leaders to change their plan. 'Return to the table with the Board of Education immediately, and recommit to a sustainable joint investment,' Layla Renee Contreras told commissioners. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
The Independent
04-06-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Georgia school district considers property tax hike to pay for school officers after shooting
Officials in the Georgia school district where four people were killed in a September shooting at Apalachee High School are considering a property tax increase to pay for school-based police officers. Barrow County Superintendent Dallas LeDuff told school board members Tuesday that the tax increase would be necessary because county government has informed the school district that it will no longer pay for sheriff's deputies, local news outlets reported. The school district and Barrow County Commission have been splitting the price of deputies assigned as school resource officers since 2017. That number was originally 12, rose to 16 in 2024, and then to 24 after the shooting. That would place at least two officers in the district's high schools and at least one officer in every other school, although officials haven't yet been able to hire 24 deputies. County commissioners sent a letter to LeDuff last month saying county government will for now pay half only 12 salaries, and eventually stop paying any of the costs. 'What they would like to see happen is that we as a school system be responsible for funding 100% of all direct and indirect costs for all 24 officers that we are staffing now, along with future officers we might add,' LeDuff said. The superintendent said the district will cover whatever the officers cost, calling it 'nonnegotiable.' The district has been under intense local pressure since the shooting to improve security, agreeing to install weapons detectors at its high schools and middle schools this year after months of community outcry. 'Especially in light of Sept. 4, I am deeply concerned with the Board of Commissioners' underlying notion that 2,000-plus Barrow County school system employees and over 15,000 Barrow County students are no longer included in their definition of public safety,' Barrow County school board member Kayla Hendrix said. 'Perhaps we need to ask the county commissioners who qualifies under their definition of public safety.' Officials have said the believe a quick response by officers at Apalachee prevented more victims. The Sept. 4 shooting killed teachers Richard 'Ricky' Aspinwall, 39, and Cristina Irimie, 53, and students Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, both 14. Another teacher and eight more students were wounded, seven of them hit by gunfire. Colt Gray, then a 14-year-old freshman, has been indicted as an adult for murder and other crimes. Barrow County commissioners wrote in their letter that voters had approved a plan to exempt some senior citizens from paying school property taxes and that the county therefore believes it is inappropriate to use property taxes collected for county government to subsidize school expenses. 'It is imperative that Barrow County government ensure that no county general fund dollars — for which there is no senior exemption — are dedicated to areas that would otherwise be funded by school taxes and the associated millage rate,' county spokesperson Brian Stewart said. Paying the expenses for next year would cost the school district more than $1 million. The district's proposed property tax increase would cost the owner of a $100,000 property about $20 a year. The issue could come up at a county commission meeting next week. William Philip said he plans to go to that meeting to protest the decision. 'This is a serious issue. This has to do with our kids' safety,' Philip said. ' Bad politics. Horrible politics. A lot of parents can't wait to go to the commissioners meeting and see.'
Associated Press
04-06-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
Georgia school district considers property tax hike to pay for school officers after shooting
WINDER, Ga. (AP) — Officials in the Georgia school district where four people were killed in a September shooting at Apalachee High School are considering a property tax increase to pay for school-based police officers. Barrow County Superintendent Dallas LeDuff told school board members Tuesday that the tax increase would be necessary because county government has informed the school district that it will no longer pay for sheriff's deputies, local news outlets reported. The school district and Barrow County Commission have been splitting the price of deputies assigned as school resource officers since 2017. That number was originally 12, rose to 16 in 2024, and then to 24 after the shooting. That would place at least two officers in the district's high schools and at least one officer in every other school, although officials haven't yet been able to hire 24 deputies. County commissioners sent a letter to LeDuff last month saying county government will for now pay half only 12 salaries, and eventually stop paying any of the costs. 'What they would like to see happen is that we as a school system be responsible for funding 100% of all direct and indirect costs for all 24 officers that we are staffing now, along with future officers we might add,' LeDuff said. The superintendent said the district will cover whatever the officers cost, calling it 'nonnegotiable.' The district has been under intense local pressure since the shooting to improve security, agreeing to install weapons detectors at its high schools and middle schools this year after months of community outcry. 'Especially in light of Sept. 4, I am deeply concerned with the Board of Commissioners' underlying notion that 2,000-plus Barrow County school system employees and over 15,000 Barrow County students are no longer included in their definition of public safety,' Barrow County school board member Kayla Hendrix said. 'Perhaps we need to ask the county commissioners who qualifies under their definition of public safety.' Officials have said the believe a quick response by officers at Apalachee prevented more victims. The Sept. 4 shooting killed teachers Richard 'Ricky' Aspinwall, 39, and Cristina Irimie, 53, and students Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, both 14. Another teacher and eight more students were wounded, seven of them hit by gunfire. Colt Gray, then a 14-year-old freshman, has been indicted as an adult for murder and other crimes. Barrow County commissioners wrote in their letter that voters had approved a plan to exempt some senior citizens from paying school property taxes and that the county therefore believes it is inappropriate to use property taxes collected for county government to subsidize school expenses. 'It is imperative that Barrow County government ensure that no county general fund dollars — for which there is no senior exemption — are dedicated to areas that would otherwise be funded by school taxes and the associated millage rate,' county spokesperson Brian Stewart said. Paying the expenses for next year would cost the school district more than $1 million. The district's proposed property tax increase would cost the owner of a $100,000 property about $20 a year. The issue could come up at a county commission meeting next week. William Philip said he plans to go to that meeting to protest the decision. 'This is a serious issue. This has to do with our kids' safety,' Philip said. 'Bad politics. Horrible politics. A lot of parents can't wait to go to the commissioners meeting and see.'
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Yahoo
Man arrested for alleged arson attempt at Barrow County Target store
The Brief A man was arrested for allegedly attempting to start a fire inside a Target store in Barrow County. The scene was secured quickly, with all customers and employees evacuated safely and no injuries reported. The suspect is in custody, and authorities are investigating the motive and circumstances of the incident. BARROW COUNTY, Ga. - Authorities in Barrow County arrested a man on Sunday after he allegedly attempted to start a fire inside a Target store on Loganville Highway. What we know The Barrow County Sheriff's Office said deputies responded to the store at approximately 11:41 a.m. and quickly secured the scene. All customers and employees were safely evacuated, and no injuries were reported. What they're saying "Thanks to the quick response and coordinated efforts, a potentially dangerous situation was contained without harm," said Sheriff Domonic Smith. He praised both deputies and store employees for their professionalism and swift action. What we don't know The suspect, whose identity has not been released, is in custody as investigators continue to look into the motive and circumstances surrounding the incident. What you can do Anyone with additional information or media inquiries is asked to contact Sgt. Domonic Smith at or (470) 971-7557. The Source The details in this article were provided by the Barrow County Sheriff's Office.
