ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — A battle is brewing over school resource officers in Orange County Public Schools.
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Channel 9 previously reported on the ongoing contract negotiations between Orange County Public Schools and 5 local police departments: Apopka, Ocoee, Windermere, Winter Garden, and Winter Park Police.
On Tuesday, those 5 police departments issued a joint statement alleging Orange County Public Schools exploited a recent school shooting in Wisconsin to “garner support during contract negotiations.”
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That joint statement was issued in response to an email sent on Monday by OCPS to parents of 30 schools that could be impacted. That email laid out OCPS’ latest offer to the law enforcement agencies which included a 20 percent increase from last year’s reimbursement rate and proposed a $75,000 rate for the 2026-2027 school year.
The district’s email asked parents to “Please reach out to your local elected officials and law enforcement chief to express concerns you may have.”
In response, those 5 law enforcement agencies issued an extensive statement that said in part, “While we understand the financial challenges OCPS faces, our agencies are also contending with significant fiscal pressures. These include difficulties in recruiting personnel and ensuring adequate equipment to meet the growing demands of our cities.”
In the statement, the agencies clarified they have not threatened or considered with drawing SROs from schools. According to the statement, all agencies are operating under one year agreements and are committed to meet with the district in January to discuss terms for the 2025-2026 school year.
The agencies said they are working through budgetary challenges and said during their previous three-year contract with OCPS their agency costs rose by about 45 percent while OCPS only offered 20 percent in reimbursements.
Channel 9 reached out to OCPS concerning allegations of exploiting the Wisconsin school shooting.
A district spokesperson said, “The email to families and staff was drafted and scheduled prior to the tragedy in Wisconsin yesterday. The purpose of the email was to inform parents of the status of SROs and the pending negotiations.”
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