SRO Controversy in Rogersville

A SRO is a school resource officer. These men and women are placed by police or sheriff's departments in local schools in order to prevent what could be a tragic situation. In some cases, their jobs amount to little more than hall monitors, but in a worst case scenario, these officers are in a position to prevent a school shooting. 

The Association of School Resource Officers recommends one SRO for every 1,000 students. According to published records, Lauderdale County School (K-12) has 1,170 students. Last year, it had either one or two SROs in place. Yes, it's an interesting situation.

In March of this year, Rogersville mayor Richard Herston said he was worried about a school shooting taking place in his fair town. The school, according to Herston, really needed two SROs. Whether funded by Rogersville Police or the Lauderdale County Sheriff's Office, our readers were unsure. We strongly suspect the funding comes from the LCSO. 

Since there was no funding available for a second SRO, Mayor Herston donated $8,000.00 of the town's money to the employer of record and paid two months of salary until the end of term. Whether this paid for various matching taxes, etc., we don't know. This is an important point that needs to be clarified.

Now we've reached July and a new school term will soon be starting. Herston has stated it will cost $28,000.00 to fund a second SRO for the entire term. Will the coffers of Rogersville be coughing again? Apparently, not. Herston and others have come up with the idea to have a fundraiser. Stop by Adams Body Shop in Rogersville and you can donate to this project. We assume there are other locations as well. Our readers are concerned, and well they should be.

If Acme Catering provides lunches at the school, should residents of the small river town expect a fund raiser to hire a better chef? Interesting question, but the answer might be no since the catering service would be contracted through the Lauderdale County School Board.

Perhaps a more valid question would involve the Lauderdale County Sheriff's Office. If the residents of Amphibian Overhang Hamlet feel that the Killen Police and LCSO aren't doing a good enough job of patrolling their gated community, could they give one or both of those law enforcement agencies funding to provide a certified officer with arrest powers to patrol their streets from dusk until dawn?

Perhaps the most relevant question harks back to the legality of this situation. The readers who have contacted us are concerned over the exact disposition of this donation and what liability might go with it. That's not to mention that some are very unhappy about being hit up for donations to a project they've always felt was paid for with their tax dollars.

To those who are concerned, we advise them to attend the next city council meeting. We also recommend that they contact the attorney general's office for a ruling on the matter. You may not be forced to give to this project, but if it goes wrong, your tax dollars may be used to defend it.