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Orange County Public Schools, police departments clash over SRO funding

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Published  December 18, 2024 12:03am EST
Orange County
FOX 35 Orlando

Orange County Public Schools, police departments clash

Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) is at odds with five local police departments over pay raises for school resource officers (SROs), following an email sent by the district that sparked backlash.

ORLANDO, Fla. - Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) is at odds with five local police departments over pay raises for school resource officers (SROs), following an email sent by the district that sparked backlash.  

The email, addressing a stalemate in funding negotiations for SRO programs, was criticized by police departments for its timing — just hours after a school shooting in Wisconsin left three people dead. The email stated the district had been unable to secure a multi-year agreement for SRO coverage and emphasized the importance of law enforcement partners continuing to staff campuses.  

Agencies from Apopka, Ocoee, Winter Garden, Winter Park, and Windermere responded, asserting they never threatened to remove officers from schools and viewed the email as an attempt to pressure them into a new deal. 

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"We find this action disingenuous to both our communities and agencies," they wrote in a joint statement. "Exploiting such a tragedy in an attempt to garner support during contract negotiations is unacceptable and shifts focus away from what truly matters: the safety and well-being of our students."

Parents expressed little concern about contract logistics, emphasizing the importance of maintaining an officer presence in schools. 

"Figure it out. Make it happen, because these kids need that," said Danielle Spencer, a parent, who praised officers for their positive influence on students.  

OCPS has offered a 20% pay increase, but police departments argue it’s insufficient to sustain SRO programs. The district maintains that a larger increase would require additional funding from the state, which it does not anticipate. Both sides remain hopeful a resolution can be reached.  

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