Resource Officer Study

A year ago, after the tragic school shooting at Parkland, schools here, in Hernando County, had sheriff deputies posted every day. I was worried, thinking there is intelligence that our county is next. Soon, the sight of a sheriff car and a uniformed officer (a young woman) meeting us parents at Chocachatti every morning and afternoon became the new norm. I remember coming to talk to her about the parking on the lawn situation and the draconian tardy policy. We chatted. She seemed nice, but very much “servant of the law” like with her professional demeanor and formal speech.

A couple of months ago, I received an email from GCA informing us that they almost closed because they could not afford to pay for a resource officer mandated by the new law. The problem was resolved, they said, and this is how I met the incredibly friendly deputy who always smiled a huge smile, seemed to know each kid’s name after a month, and recently even helped my son with a math assignment (not that he needed help, she said she was “just bored”).

I became curious: how do school shootings, new laws, and friendly smiles shape our schools? What do children think when they see a uniformed, armored and armed sheriff deputy every day? What do teachers think? And what of the shooter drills that also, alas, became a regular activity in all area schools? How is our education being impacted? And who are they, resource officers who call my son “Batman” because he used to have a Batman backpack last year, and help my other son with academics?