Commissioners postpone discussion, say that more information is necessary
Worcester County officials this week sidelined public discussion of a proposal by the sheriff’s office to put deputies on patrol in private schools.
In an Oct. 14 letter, Chief Deputy Nate Passwaters pitched the county commissioners on hiring new school resource deputies, or SRDs, to cover Worcester Preparatory School in Berlin, Seaside Christian Academy in West Ocean City, and Most Blessed Sacrament, located outside Ocean Pines. The latter two are parochial schools with a religious curriculum.
“While public schools in our community have long benefited from the presence of SRDs, private schools are not consistently afforded the same level of safety and security,” he wrote. “With the continued increase in school-related safety concerns nationwide, it is critical that we provide a consistent equitable approach to student protection across all educational institutions within Worcester County.”
Four deputies would be hired under the proposal, with one for each of the three private schools and another as a backup. The estimated start-up cost to Worcester County for the start of the 2026-27 school year would be $840,000, including deputies’ salary, patrol car, and all equipment, the letter said.
However, on the advice of their attorney, the county commissioners at Tuesday’s meeting voted unanimously to table the issue.
Commissioner Joe Mitrecic made the motion to postpone discussion at the outset of the meeting, saying several questions needed answering “before we can actually consider this with any seriousness.”
“There has been no criteria put forward as to what would qualify as a private school – are these going to trickle down to nursery schools and day care centers also?” he said.
So, has anyone calculated the number of private school students NOT utilizing public schools multiplied by the budgeted cost of “educating” each student to determine how much $$ is being banked by WCPS for not having to accommodate them? Asking for a friend.
I get the want and the desire to protect the kids that go to these private schools. I also understand that the parents of those kids, who live in Worcester County are still taxed, as are all residents even if they don’t have kids.
Based on this number it works out to $210,000 for the first year. I don’t know the full details of the numbers, so I’m going to break them out as an educated guess. $100,000 covers the salary and benefits and $110,000 covers the car and equipment needed. That means that $400,000 is a one time expense. The county could make this purchase and take the tax write as a depreciating asset, at least for the vehicles.
Now let’s talk about the other $400,000. If you’re an accredited school with X number of students (we can figure that out later) you will be billed for half of the salary and will need to cover all the benefits. During none school days the SRD’s would work for the county and would be extra deputies out on patrol. This creates extra coverage for the Worcester County residents.
If we assume an $80,000 salary and $20,000 in benefits that puts the cost, after year one, to the County at just $160,000 for 4 deputies that they can now utilize for 10+ weeks in the summer (when we really need them) plus around holidays and other times schools are closed. The cost to these private schools would be roughly $60,000 each would would cover half the salary and all of the benefits for these Deputies.
Broken down this way it seems doable and puts some of the onus in this deal on these private schools. If they want the deputy they have to meet the county part of the way. They can raise their tuitions or find other ways internally to find the money but they aren’t getting a free handout. At this point we find out if they REALLY want the deputies or they’re just asking to get something for nothing.
Again, I know my math may not be exact, but you can see how it can work.
Officers for private schools should be paid for by families of kids in private schools. Actually it’s a shame we need police officers in schools. Kids have lost all respect, or were never taught, others have rights and deserve respect too.