School Resource Officer Program

The State-Funded School Resource Officer (SRO) Program is administered by the South Carolina Department of Public Safety (SCDPS) through its Office of Highway Safety and Justice Programs (OHSJP). Established under the authority of South Carolina laws and appropriations directives, the program is designed to enhance student safety in schools that lack the financial resources to independently employ certified law enforcement personnel. The Open Solicitation for State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2026–2027 offers funding specifically for new SRO positions not previously awarded or requested during the annual solicitation period that typically occurs in January and February. Eligible applicants include traditional South Carolina school districts, the South Carolina Public Charter School District, and charter schools authorized by institutions of higher learning such as the Charter Institute at Erskine. Schools administered by other state agencies, including SCDC, SCDJJ, and the Governor’s Schools, are excluded from eligibility and are expected to provide for SROs through their agency budgets. Application Part 1 must be completed by school districts and submitted via email to the SRO program office, with a signed copy also forwarded to the relevant law enforcement agency. Part 2 is then completed by law enforcement agencies through the IntelliGrants platform, which requires uploading the school district’s signed Part 1 form. Funding under this program covers the full base salary and fringe benefits (such as retirement, FICA, workers’ compensation, and health insurance) for newly hired or reassigned SROs. Reimbursement is also available for law enforcement equipment including uniforms, patrol vehicles, body armor, and weaponry, provided such expenses are necessary for outfitting the officer and are consistent with agency standards. Additional support is available for training recognized by national or state-level certifying bodies. All costs are reimbursed quarterly, with additional reimbursements permitted for shorter periods. Notably, the program operates on a reimbursement basis, and pre-approval of expenses is mandatory. Award funds are limited to positions in schools that do not currently have an SRO and cannot be used to replace existing locally funded SROs or add additional positions to schools already staffed. The program prohibits supplanting local funding and imposes strict financial oversight, including submission of receipts, wage documentation, and property control forms for certain equipment purchases. Each vehicle must meet specific branding and usage requirements and be assigned to a specific school and officer for a minimum of six years. Evaluation criteria for awarding funds include a school district's financial capacity, assessed via the South Carolina Index of Taxpaying Ability (ITA), as well as justification of need, budgetary reasonableness, and prior grant performance. Notification of award or denial is made in writing by the OHSJP, with timing varying based on when the application is submitted. Compliance requirements include maintaining a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the school district and law enforcement agency, ensuring SRO presence during school hours except in limited circumstances, and participating in unannounced and scheduled site monitoring visits. The award period for this program begins upon approval and continues through June 30, 2027. The Open Solicitation will remain available until the SFY 27–28 solicitation is released, and all activities must comply with state procurement laws, regulations, and funding directives.

Agencies must be ready to hire within 180 days and avoid supplanting. Include all requested attachments.