David Matheson
Robbinsville – In a complete 180-degree turn from events that transpired just one year ago, Graham County Schools will shift the oversight of its resource officers to the sheriff’s office.
The board of education met with sheriff’s office representatives during closed session at Tuesday’s meeting and after returning to open, voted unanimously for the measure.
Assistant superintendent David Matheson said the change occurred simply to give the district’s officers a wider jurisdiction. He cited a scenario in which a bus could break down somewhere in the county; an SRO (school resource officer) can currently respond to the scene, but do nothing else after arriving to assist.
“This move has nothing to do with our school resource officers themselves, or their job performance,” Matheson said. “They are doing a fantastic job and have a great relationship with the kids.”
Josh Reap is the SRO for Robbinsville Elementary School, while Jeff Knight is stationed as the SRO for Robbinsville Middle/High schools.
Matheson added that the only thing that will change is that the SROs will have daily communication with the sheriff’s office and will also add a decal to their vehicles to signify they are under the umbrella of the Graham County Sheriff’s Office.
Almost one year ago to the date of Tuesday’s decision, Graham County Sheriff Brad Hoxit was accompanied by chief deputy Cody George and chief of detectives Travis Brooks to a school board meeting, where the concept of bringing SROs underneath the jurisdiction of the office was first pitched.
At the time, Hoxit said that he thought the move would improve communication between both sides.
A public forum was then held about the topic March 21, which turned heated; the idea was dropped until Tuesday’s vote.
Following the board’s decision, the only counties left in North Carolina to not have the sheriff’s office directly in charge of SROs are Cherokee, Mecklenburg and Moore.
Matheson said the two entities are working under an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding).
“Both sides want to work together for the greater good, which is keeping our children safe,” Matheson said.
The change will go into effect July 1.