Hall County Schools, HCSO sign school safety plan, adding patrols at elementary schools

For the past 25 years, the Hall County School District (HCSD), the Hall County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) and the Hall County Board of Commissioners have worked cooperatively to provide a School Resource Officer/Security Program for Hall County’s public schools. The latest agreement, approved Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, establishes added security for the school district’s elementary schools by placing additional certified deputies on patrol around elementary campuses.

Under the updated agreement, the deputies, called School Safety Officers (SSOs), will work in an extra-duty capacity, roaming among the district’s 19 elementary school campuses. They join three roving school resources officers (SROs) who are currently assigned to protect elementary schools. Each of the county’s middle and high schools has a full-time SRO on campus.

The updated agreement comes on the heels of last month’s deadly shooting at Apalachee High School in nearby Barrow County.

Hall County School Superintendent Will Schofield said the measure underscores HCSD’s commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of every student and staff member in the district.

“The safety and security of our students and staff are at the forefront of everything we do, and this expanded presence of law enforcement at our elementary schools reinforces our dedication to providing a secure and welcoming environment for learning,” Schofield said.

Sheriff Couch said the SSO plan is one he can implement right away with certified personnel who already work for the Sheriff’s Office.

“The deputies’ primary job will be to make sure the school buildings are secure, and safety protocols are being followed,” said Sheriff Couch. “Of course, they’ll interact with students and staff with the goal of building additional rapport and trust with law enforcement.”

The SSO assignments are considered extra-duty jobs and compensation will be shared by HCSD and HCSO in a 70/30 split, similar to the compensation agreement for the SRO program.

Both Schofield and Couch emphasized they remain committed to exploring and implementing ways to enhance campus safety with the additional patrols being only one part of the security plan.