Jacobs says Money for Elementary School Deputies Unlikely Next Year
Monday, January 7, 2013
By: Mark Simpson

January 7, 2013 | WMFE - Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs says that recently posted extra sheriff's deputies may not stay at area elementary schools past the current school year. 90.7s Mark Simpson reports Jacobs says the county's financial situation is too tight to pay for the extra security long term.

Mayor Jacobs brought extra deputies to 78 elementary schools in unincorporated Orange County following the school shootings in Newtown Connecticut.

Speaking Monday at Lancaster Elementary she explained for the current school year the $2-3 million dollar cost is being covered by overtime payments to sheriff’s deputies.

"At this point this is a program through the end of the year, give us all that breathing room. and that peace of mind and next year hopefully we can proceed as we have in the past and look for any opportunities to save money so that we can expand the use of our deputies here.”

Jacobs says she would have ask the state legislature for more money to extend the additional school security beyond this school year.

Orange County Superintendent Barbara Jenkins says that she will participate in a nationwide call with U.S Education Secretary Arnie Duncan on school safety.