Cost of Policing Schools Doubles Under Sheriff's Office

Previous Budget 'Not a True Representation,' Chief Says

Gone! There’s a new sheriff in school-town.

By SHELBIE GRAHAM

Today, thousands of students and hundreds of teachers returned to school. The new school year promises change for all students, and a significant one involves the police officers they’ll meet as they head to class.

This new school year marks the return of the Clay County Sheriff's Office.

Five years ago, Clay County District Schools broke away from the Sheriff’s Office when it founded and funded its own police department (CCDSPD), a move spearheaded by then-Superintendent Addison Davis. CCDSPD has been the subject of controversy for several years, criticized particularly for a lack of transparency and accountability.

School Board Members Erin Skipper and Michele Hanson ran campaigns promising to dissolve CCDSPD and bring back the Sheriff’s Office, which has historically been the agency providing school security in unincorporated areas in Clay County. The two were both elected into office in 2022.

Last November, the Clay County School Board voted 4-1 with School Board Member Mary Bolla dissenting to begin negotiations which brought the Sheriff’s Office back.

The school district paid more than $1 million in transition fees to accomplish that goal. However, according to the school district’s latest budget, baseline security costs are expected to increase because of the switch to Sheriff’s Office.

The school district said it paid $3.7 million last year when it was serviced by CCDSPD. Now, under the protection of Sheriff’s Office, the school district is expecting to pay $7.5 million—double what it used to.

The funding for school district’s security comes from the Safety and Security millage rate residents approved in a voter referendum years ago. While Sheriff’s Office is charging more than CCDSPD, the funds are coming from the same source: about $20 million in property taxes.

So, contrary to misconception, residents are not being “double taxed.” Residents are taxed the same, the school district is just siphoning more from its reserves.

Still, the double jump to $7.5 million has raised concerns.

Clay News & Views asked why the Sheriff’s Office was charging more than what the school district's police department used to and what the added expenses would be going toward.

CN&V reached out to Sheriff Michelle Cook, asking about the added costs following the transition. Cook did not comment. Instead, Chief Domenic Paniccia responded in her place via email:

“We are charging exactly what it costs, no more and no less. When the school district provided costs initially at the district level they were not itemized and did not include certain items and costs associated with every member as in insurance costs and benefits etc…Therefore it was not a true representation of detailed itemized costs of all factors, salaries, benefits, insurance for each member. We were able to parse out detailed, itemized costs taking every factor into account and that is what was provided.”

Most parents are thankful sheriff’s deputies are back in the schools, and many have looked at the increased price tag as a “you get what you pay for” scenario. Sure, Sheriff’s Office is charging double (and not saying why), but isn’t a few extra million dollars worth it when it comes to our children’s safety?

On June 28, just a few days before her department officially replaced CCDSPD, Cook posted a video on Facebook to assuage concerns.

“I want to assure you of two things. First, our schools are safe. And second, our schools will continue to be safe,” she said.

Cook affirmed the importance of the transition and said it would be a “beneficial change for our schools.” She pointed to her department’s enhanced training and expanded jurisdiction, among other contributing factors.

“As your sheriff, I have taken an oath to protect you and to protect your family. When your kids return to school in August, you’ll see that I keep my promises.”