Child safety remains a top priority for the Alexander County Board of Commissioners and the Sheriff’s Office as evidenced by the approval of a 3-year agreement with the Town of Taylorsville to provide a School Resource Officer (SRO) at Taylorsville Elementary School and another at the Alexander Early College and Student Success Center. The two new SROs were in place on Tuesday morning following Monday night’s meeting.
Alexander County Schools received a state safety grant in November 2022, which prompted commissioners to approve six (6) 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 3-year agreement ends.
“Safety is our number one priority, so we don’t want to put this off one day if we don’t have to,” said Sheriff Pennell. “But, in three years, where will the SRO be? You can’t have an interim deputy.”
Commissioner Larry Yoder agreed. “What’s going to happen in three years or even this year when the grant runs out? I’m all for safety, but how will it work?”
Wike said there is no intention to terminate the SROs when the agreement ends
Commissioner Kent Herman said, “There’s really no alternative but to do this, as long as the Sheriff is good with it.”
Each SRO will cost approximately $70,000 in salary and benefits, plus equipment, weapons, vehicles, and more. The town will pay all costs associated with the two SRO positions.
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.
“The safety of our children is paramount, so we must do what needs to be done to protect them during school in this day and age,” said Marty Pennell, Chairman of the Alexander County Board of Commissioners. “We appreciate the willingness of the Sheriff’s Office to take on this added responsibility. We also appreciate the school system for its efforts to secure grant funding for SROs and hope that another round of funding will be awarded. This is another excellent example of teamwork here in Alexander County.”
In other business:
• Commissioners presented a “Key to the County” to Brenda Price who has cared for 200 foster children since 1982. “While DSS has placed 200 children with the Price family throughout the years, we know that there are countless families and children who were changed by knowing Brenda and her husband Sonny,” said Commission Vice Chairman Josh Lail. “We are excited to acknowledge Mrs. Brenda Price for her commitment, determination, and immeasurable heart that she has shared with the children and families of Alexander County.”
• County Manager Shane Fox shared an update on the Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams closure which occurred abruptly on August 26. He said the county has partnered with the Western Piedmont Council of Governments, NCWorks, CVCC, state elected officials, and other agencies to provide valuable services to the hundreds of employees who lost their jobs. He commended everyone involved in planning a career and resource fair on September 12 at East Taylorsville Baptist Church. Fox also said there is some potential grant money to help retrain workers for other careers.
• During public comment, Phil Brown expressed safety concerns about the cove located near the Sandbar Marina & Grill. He asked the county to work with the Wildlife Resources Commission to move the no-wake buoys farther out to slow down boat traffic in that area.
• Commissioners approved the Alexander County Historic Preservation Plan as presented by HPC Vice Chairman Lee Sharpe. The plan is a planning and management tool that assembles information about historic resources to provide the necessary information to responsibly deal with existing issues and future concerns. Sharpe said a historic preservation plan identifies and articulates the county’s preservation goals, lets current and future property owners know how the county intends to grow, helps eliminate confusion about the purpose of the local preservation ordinance, and educates the public about the county’s history and heritage. With the board’s approval, the…
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