The Board of Education approved a contract with Newton County to obtain officers from the Newton County Sheriff's Office to serve as school resource officers beginning in 2008-2009. In the past, the SROs essentially worked double shifts as they would arrive at the schools after completing their regular NCSO shifts. After the board received notification that a significant amount of deputies would not be working the additional shifts, Superintendent Steve Whatley and the board explored alternative ideas to fill SRO openings.