CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) Each of Albemarle County’s three high schools will have a dedicated school resource officer assigned to it during the upcoming school year, according to an email sent to families last week. What that police officer’s role and responsibilities will be is yet to be determined, and the county is seeking input from the community. 

“The survey is meant to get as much feedback from the community and interested parties so that we can incorporate that as much as possible as we move forward,” said Helen Dunn, Albemarle County Schools chief communications officer. 

The survey asks respondents to share their or their child’s experience with SROs in schools, their hopes for what the expanded program will bring to the schools, their concerns with the presence of SROs in schools and any suggestions to mitigate those concerns. It ends by asking, “How do you/your child feel about SROs at school,” with ratings going from 1 (unfavorable) to 7 (very favorable)

In 2024-25, only Albemarle High School had an SRO, but the fiscal year 2026 budget – approved on May 8 — includes funding for two additional officers, one to be assigned to Monticello High and one to Western Albemarle.  

Dunn said the school division is working with the Albemarle County Police Department to develop the parameters of the program — and that is where the community input survey will factor in.  

During a public information session on April 30, Albemarle County Police Department captain Jason Marden detailed the specific, additional training SRO’s receive to be certified to work in schools. That includes mediation and conflict resolution training, de-escalation techniques, disaster and emergency response, and training to work with students with disabilities, mental health issues, and substance abuse disorders.

Albemarle County Public Schools Director of Safety and Security Ralph Bradley did not respond to requests for an interview.

Charlottesville city schools are currently studying adding SROs to its facilities. The division ended its SRO program in 2020 but, by a 4-2 vote in March, the school board approved developing a memorandum of understanding to return officers to buildings in the future.  

That won’t happen for the upcoming school year but could be added to the following year’s fiscal budget.