Overton Schools Looking To Add SRO For REACH Academy

The Overton County School Board wants to add a School Resource Officer at REACH Academy.

Director of Schools Donnie Holman said REACH Academy is a three-component school housed in a building on the Livingston Academy Campus. He said it functions as a behavioral school, alternative school, and a credit recovery school. He said when Governor Bill Lee funded one SRO for each school in the state, REACH Academy was left out as it is not an independent school.

“I will say, there have been situations that have taken place where an SRO would have been beneficial, I will go out and say that,” Holman said. “Nothing that was out of hand, but there have been times where I thought one would definitely be beneficial.”

Holman said with the approval of the Overton County School Board, he will begin working with Livingston Police Chief Ray Smith to identify candidates. He said he hopes to never need an SRO, but he wants to be proactive in case dangerous situations arise.

“It’s very very important and I think one of the big things is, it gives a sense of security to the employees of the school that there’s someone there readily at hand should something should arise,” Holman said. “It just makes people feel safer and less apprehensive about going to work and having a better work environment.”

He said he contacted the city of Livingston about splitting the cost of the new position. He said the city was not able to fulfill that request but plans to consider it as the budget is put together for the next fiscal year.

“Hopefully, we never need them,” Holman said. “It’s kind of like an insurance policy. Hopefully, we’ll never need the School Resource Officer, but if something does arise, they will be there.”

He said preparation is key within any school system. He said he wants to ensure needs and safety are provided for students long before there becomes an urgent need. He compared the SRO to a school nurse, saying that ideally, they never have to spring into action, but having one available makes any school a safer place.