WINTER PARK, Fla. — Orange County Public Schools officials say they’re hoping to avoid having guardians instead of school resource officers at several schools around the county. 

That’s all due to ongoing negotiations with five municipalities, which include Apopka, Ocoee, Windermere, Winter Garden, and Winter Park.

What You Need To Know

  • OCPS is hoping to come to an agreement with five municipalities about having SROs at their schools

  • Superintendent Dr. Maria Vazquez requested that the board considered revisiting a discussion about hiring armed security for the Guardian Program in case a deal is not met

  • Some Winter Park parents say they want SROs at their children's school and call the lack of a deal unacceptable

  • OCPS officials say the five municipalities are requesting an amount that would put the district $2 million dollars over budget at a time where they say funding is bleak

But with the 2025-2026 school year just around the corner, they may have to resort to other options.

It would also mean that schools like Lakemont Elementary School could possibly be without an SRO during the next school year.

The scene after school Friday at Lakemont was business as usual — kids were safely getting picked up with Winter Park Police Officers helping to pave the way.

But with the city of Winter Park’s contract negotiations about SROs currently up in the air, some parents are concerned about their kids’ safety during the school day.

“It would be a significant blow to student safety, and when you drop off your kids you want to know that they’re safe," said Steve Merkal.

OCPS officials say they’ve been engaged in productive conversations with the five municipalities but have not been able to come to an agreement.

The district is currently paying $72,000 a year per officer, but that contract ends at the end of 2024-2025 school year.

So if a deal isn’t met, they may have to consider hiring armed security with the Guardians Program for those schools,

“I know that our conversation a few months ago surrounding guardians in our schools was one that the board was adamant that we could not look at or that we would not pursue, but I am requesting that the board revisit that stance," OCPS Superintendent Dr. Maria Vazquez said during an April 1 school board meeting.

But when it comes to the idea of hiring guardians, Merkal is also not in favor, even with his son changing schools next year.

“My son is in fifth grade, so he won’t be going back to this school, but it’s not just about my son," Merkal said. "It’s about all of the other kids that go to Lakemont and other schools."

OCPS officials say they have proposed paying $75,000 a year per officer for the next school year, but said the five municipalities are asking for an increase that would put the district $2 million dollars over budget.

Spectrum News 13 reached out to the city of Winter Park about their negotiations, and they respond with a statement:

“Because we are still in negotiations, we do not want to compromise our negotiations by commenting at this time."

And with dollar amounts seeming to be the issue, Merkal said he feels that these cities are picking money over student safety.

“It’s unacceptable," he said. "There’s money to be found and they should still provide our kids with the proper safety."

Vazquez said funding is more bleak than she has ever seen as an educator, and because of that, she hopes the board will take a look at how other districts are using the guardian program and revisit the conversation.