By Star 102.5 Sandhills News | April 21, 2026 | Moore County, NC
A significant change is coming to school safety in Moore County. The Board of Education voted Monday night to transition its school resource officer program away from the district’s own police department and place it under the authority of the Moore County Sheriff’s Office — a move school leaders say will strengthen long-term staffing and keep a dedicated armed officer in every school.
What the Board Voted On
During its April 20 regular business meeting, the Moore County Schools Board of Education approved a proposal to restructure how school-based law enforcement is handled across the district’s 24 schools. Under the approved plan, SRO duties will shift from Moore County Schools Police to the Sheriff’s Office, with implementation set to begin in January 2027. Full rollout is expected to take approximately 18 months.
Board Chair Dr. Robin Calcutt acknowledged the transition represents a real change for the officers currently serving in schools. “We are deeply grateful for the men and women who have served as School Resource Officers in Moore County Schools,” she said in a district press release. “Their commitment to protecting our schools, building relationships with students and employees, and serving our community has made a lasting impact.”
Why the Change Is Happening
The district has faced persistent challenges in recruiting and retaining school-based law enforcement personnel. State regulations limit Moore County Schools’ ability to hire officers directly from the academy, and the structure of school-based positions makes it difficult to compete with local law enforcement agencies on pay and benefits.
By partnering with the Sheriff’s Office — which operates under a different hiring and compensation structure — district leaders believe they can more reliably fill and keep those positions filled across all 24 schools.
What Stays the Same
The goal of having a dedicated, armed law enforcement officer stationed at every school in Moore County is not changing — only who employs and deploys them. District officials emphasized that the transition is about strengthening school safety infrastructure, not reducing it.
What Happens Next
With the board’s vote now on record, district and Sheriff’s Office leadership will begin the coordination process for a January 2027 launch. Parents, staff, and community members can expect more details to be shared as planning advances.
Star 102.5 and Sandhills News will continue following this story as it develops. Stay connected to the Pulse of the Pines.
