The Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) district has avoided a security crisis by reaching an accord with school resource officers over their contract, ensuring presence at the forthcoming jamboree games. After a period of tense negotiations, Superintendent Dr. Marie Feagins confirmed that the officers would see an improvement in pay. According to WREG, the updated salary schedule will commence immediately from July 1, with officers starting at more than $52,000 and reaching up to $62,000, alongside a $1 per hour annual increase for five years, followed by a $1,000 retention bonus.
Originally, SROs had threatened to strike on Friday due to dissatisfaction with their pay and concerns for safety. George Harris, recently appointed as the new Director of Security, found himself at the center of controversy during an introductory meeting where some SROs walked out, as reported by The Daily Memphian. Despite facing initial resistance, Harris assured the MSCS board, "I will ensure that the manpower is what it needs to be, and I will be there myself on all (the) days." With this commitment, he aims to mitigate concerns over security at school events.
The situation was tense leading to a potential security deficit for the popular high school football jamborees. To prevent the upcoming walkout, Superintendent Feagins and the newly instated Harris engaged with the SROs, quelling the unrest with a revised pay scale offer. During conversations with stakeholders, MSCS Board member Kevin Woods emphasized the necessity for trust in leadership, affirming that those anticipating the event "need confidence right now that these officers have a leader they can count on," as Action News 5 obtained.
Security at the games, which drew attention due to previous incidents of gunfire, will see Harris on-site to provide his guidance and "address any issues that may arise," he told Action News 5. The district aims to boost its SRO numbers by 64 to station at least one officer in each school, a goal shared with the jamborees' security in mind. Additionally, MSCS leadership has not ignored educational advancements amidst the security tempest, with commitments to fund a shortfall for a new STEM building at Whitehaven High School reaffirmed by MSCS Board Chairwoman Althea Greene.
The Shelby County Sheriff's Office prepped a contingency plan, ready to cover most games should MSCS's officers decide against working. "The Sheriff’s Office will have SRO Deputies assigned to various games for the upcoming jamborees this Thursday and Friday," the Sheriff's Office clarified in a statement obtained by WREG.
