OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — Lawmakers added funding Thursday to the upcoming budget that would continue to fund School Resource Officers, but not before school safety employees contacted News 4, worried they would lose their jobs.
An email was sent out in January to School Safety employees that said grant funding for SROs was up after June.
The funding was initially $150 million for three years, and each district would get around $93,000 for SROs.
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This was the last year that the grant funding would go out. The budget request from the Department of Education did not include funding for the SROs, according to the budget request portal.
The email from OSDE, sent in January, regarding the funding running out read, “Good Afternoon. I wanted to personally remind you that the grant funding supporting your position is scheduled to conclude on June 30, 2026. As we move through the remainder of the grant period, please keep this end date in mind for planning purposes. If you have any questions about the grant timeline, your assignment, or next steps as we approach the end of the grant, do not hesitate to reach out to me directly. Thank you for the important work you do each day in support of our schools and students. Your continued commitment is truly appreciated.”…