From Orange County Public Schools
Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) is pleased to announce that a tentative agreement has been reached with the cities of Apopka, Ocoee, Winter Garden, Winter Park, and the Town of Windermere to provide School Resource Officer (SRO) coverage at all OCPS schools through the 2026-27 school year.
This agreement underscores the district's unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety and security of its students, staff, and school communities. SROs play a crucial role in maintaining a safe and supportive learning environment. OCPS is delighted to continue this partnership for the benefit of everyone in the district and extends gratitude to the municipalities for their cooperation in reaching this agreement.
Related: OCPS approves budget/millage rate for 2024/25.
"We are grateful to the municipalities for their dedication to our shared goal of fostering a secure educational environment for all students," said Dr. Maria Vazquez, superintendent. "This agreement represents the commitment we have to our schools and highlights the importance of collaboration in achieving our safety objectives."
The agreement ensures that all OCPS schools will have the necessary SRO coverage, providing peace of mind to families and employees alike. The continued presence of SROs will help maintain safe and supportive learning and working environments.
Melissa Byrd, the District 7 OCPS Board Member representing Apopka schools, was relieved that the negotiation was successful.
“I, like many parents, am breathing a sigh of relief today. While this negotiation was a challenge, it highlighted the desperate need for all of us to demand the state adequately fund our public schools. Our school safety budget is just one category that is grossly underfunded and does not cover our costs. The SRO’s that serve in our schools are vital to our students’ success in so many ways, and the municipalities deserve to be funded properly for their service. I am so glad we were able to work together this time to get this agreement, but state funding has to change so we can keep the people we need working in our schools for all children.”
Apopka Police Chief Michael McKinley was also pleased and hopeful for additional State support.
"The Apopka Police Department looks forward to receiving the tentative agreement from OCPS and presenting it to the City Council for approval. While the department never indicated any intention of removing our School Resource Officers (SROs) from our schools, this agreement will provide some reimbursement for their continued presence for an additional two years. Both the APD and OCPS face ongoing challenges related to funding the SRO program. We remain hopeful that additional support from the State will become available to assist in sustaining SRO programs across all law enforcement agencies. We value our continued partnership with OCPS and their police department, and we are committed to working together to ensure the safety and well-being of all students in our community. The safety of our children has always been and will remain our highest priority."
The district also thanks the families and employees for their continued trust and support, which will positively impact the lives of our students and the future of our community.
