Sheriff: Wise County budget cuts could lead to reduction of Student Resource Officers

Wise County Sheriff Grant Kilgore says the department’s student resource officer program is in danger of being reduced down to two officers who would patrol and serve a student and faculty population of more than 6,000.

A social media post from Kilgore’s agency says due to the county’s current budget shortfalls, the department was informed their local share would be reduced by 50 percent or $2.2 million by the Board of Supervisors. SROs would be retained under current models but if cuts are realized, the reduction would begin in January 2027 or earlier based on grant funds still being available to cover a portion of an SROs salary.

County leaders have a projected budget shortfall of nearly $5 million and all departments are being examined for reductions in spending and personnel.

(IMAGE: File photo / J. Olsen – Bristol Broadcasting Co News)