Lincoln County schools hope to see placement of school resource officers at campuses during the 2021-2022 school year.

Superintendent Dr. David Martin told the county school board during its regular meeting Monday that he had applied for a Mississippi Community Oriented Policing Services in Schools grant, and that the district had been awarded a $40,000 grant.

The district does not currently have resource officers, who act on security and legal issues, but plans to introduce them through cooperation with the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office.

“We are working with Sheriff Steve Rushing, who is looking for people for those positions,” Martin said.

Martin said the sheriff will provide deputies for the positions — up to four, one per campus — as candidates become available.

Officers provided will be rotated across campuses as needed until enough are available to have one per campus, Martin said. The MCOPS grant will assist the county in the cost of salaries and materials for the officers.

Resource officers play an integral part in the development or enhancement of a comprehensive school safety plan, and provide a direct link between the schools and local emergency responders as needed.

The addition of the officers will provide actual security and an increased feeling of safety on the county’s campuses.

School board president Tim Cunningham praised Martin for his initiative and success in securing the grant.