Citrus County Schools is considering returning school policing to the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office. The move comes as the school district looks to enhance safety and security on campus.
The Citrus County Chronicle reports that the school district may end its contract with the Florida Department of Corrections, which has provided school resource officers since 2017. Citrus County Sheriff, Mike Prendergast, has expressed interest in providing the service, citing the benefits of having a more unified and coordinated approach to school safety.
If the decision is made to return school policing to the Sheriff’s Office, it would affect several schools in the district, including Inverness High School, Citrus High School, and Crystal River High School. The change could take effect as early as the upcoming school year, pending approval from the school board.
The discussion on school safety comes at a time when the state of Florida is emphasizing the importance of securing schools. The Citrus County School District has a total of 16 schools, serving around 10,000 students. A decision on the proposal is expected to be made at an upcoming school board meeting.
Originally reported by Citrus County Chronicle – Inverness
Sources: Citrus County Chronicle – Inverness
