- April 19, 2024
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In two weeks, the Flagler County School Board will consider a plan to hire school resource officers at all public schools in the county. The board also unanimously approved the $11,776 donation from a parent to have an armed, off-duty deputy at Old Kings Elementary School.
School Board member Sue Dickinson said Jan. 22 that she wanted the board to agree now that funding for SROs in elementary schools will be found.
In response to the news coverage of the security guard being hired by a parent for Old Kings, Laura Lauria issued the following statement Tuesday, Jan. 22:
"In the wake of the tragic Connecticut shooting, Laura Lauria, president of Police Services Inc., reached out to Flagler County School Board representatives in order to determine whether security could be increased at the elementary schools across the district. Although Flagler County currently provides deputies at middle schools and high schools, no such service presently exists at the elementary school level due to a lack of funding.
"When it became apparent that funding was the primary obstacle in achieving greater security, Mrs. Lauria made the decision to donate the funds that were necessary to provide a trained, off-duty sheriff's deputy at Old Kings Elementary. Mrs. Lauria sought the approval of several high-ranking school officials before making this donation and worked in conjunction with the proper school and law enforcement authorities every step of the way.
"Police Services Inc. is a private manufacturer of safety-minded products and has no financial ties to Flagler County schools.
"Police Services Inc. does not buy, sell, or manufacture weapons, nor does it provide security services. The donation was never intended to become public knowledge and was only made with the intention of giving back to the community.
"Laura Lauria and Police Services Inc. are both ardent supporters of the Flagler County school system and will continue to respect any decisions made by the School Board regarding the implementation of additional security."
