DOVER, Del. - A proposal to provide state funding for school resource officers and constables failed to advance out of the Delaware House Education Committee.
The bill, introduced by Rep. Bryan Shupe (R-Milford), aimed to cover up to 70% of SRO and constable salaries, with an estimated annual cost of $25 million if all schools opted in. An additional $12 million in one-time costs was projected for fiscal year 2026.
Shupe says he plans to re-introduce the bill, as many people have been asking him to.
Shupe expressed his thoughts about the bill’s failure in a Facebook post.
"This legislation would have enhanced safety for teachers and students while fostering positive relationships with law enforcement." Shupe said.
"I’m disappointed that school safety isn’t a top priority for the Education Committee at this time, I remain committed to finding solutions."
The committee rejected the bill on a near-party line vote, with cost concerns and potential over-policing in schools cited by opponents. Many committee members preferred investments in mental health services over creating a specific funding pool for SROs.
Rehoboth Beach Rep. Claire Snyder Hall voted down the bill saying "highly trained police officers should be doing police work" and "there is no evidence that SROs stop mass shootings."
Bob Griffiths lives in Milford, and he says he's in favor of whatever it takes to keep kids safe.
"There would be somebody there to respond immediately instead of having to wait, and we have too many of those school shootings in the United States," said Griffiths.
