UPDATE: June 21, 2013
QUITMAN, Ga. (WTXL)--Brooks County Sheriff Mike Dewey met with school board leaders Friday afternoon.
He tells us that now they are looking to have a total of five school resource officers, one at every school.
This past school year, there were two officers, one at the middle school and the other at the high school.
Previously the school board decided to end a contract with the county, to no longer have school resource officers.
Now the sheriff and school board members are planning to meet next Friday to talk about how to pay for more officers at the schools.
June 13, 2013 6:23 p.m.
QUITMAN, Ga. (WTXL)--It's controversy over school resource officers in Brooks County.
As school leaders decide to cut school resource officers, law enforcers say they've been left in the dark.
"We have one resource officer at the middle school and one at the high school. If needed they go to the other schools," said Brooks County Sheriff Mike Dewey.
A recent decision by the Brooks County school board means those deputies will no longer be on school grounds.
"We need school resource officers in our schools each and everyday especially middle and high schools," said parent Becky Kelley.
Becky Kelley says she worries about the safety of her children. After Brooks County board members decided to end an agreement with the sheriff's office.
"They have not talked to us about this decision at all," said Dewey. "We requested a meeting over a month ago."
It's not clear why board members chose to end the agreement to no longer have school resource officers. When asked about it, school leaders forwarded us to attorney Harold Eddy.
He says the decision was partly based on finances.
The cost of the officers is split between the sheriff's office and school board.
"There are a variety options that might involve police department it might involve other types of services," said Eddy.
The two deputies who worked as school resource officers will be re-assigned.
No word on when school board members could decide on new security options for the schools.
