The Alexander County Board of Commissioners and the Alexander County Sheriff’s Office have agreed on a three year agreement with the Town of Taylorsville to provide a School Resource Officer (SRO) at Taylorsville Elementary School. The agreement also allows for an officer at the Alexander Early College and Student Success Center. The two new SROs were in place on Tuesday morning (September 12) following Monday night’s (September 11) meeting.

Alexander County Schools received a state safety grant in November 2022, which prompted commissioners to approve six SRO positions for schools not located in the town limits.
Interim Town Manager Aaron Wike said the town has been trying to fill two SRO positions for months, but has had no success; therefore, he reached out to Sheriff Chad Pennell to determine if an agreement would be possible with the county.

Sheriff Pennell said he can have officers in place immediately if commissioners approve the agreement, but he does have some concerns about the officers’ employment after the three year agreement ends. Wike said there is no intention to terminate the SROs at the end of that three year period.

Sheriff Pennell said his office employed eight SROs, which increases to 10 SROs following approval of the agreement. The sheriff said he has two available vehicles with equipment that could be used for the two SRO positions, which would expedite the appointments to the schools.