On 05/17/2023 the Mangum School Board was presented with a renewal of a contract with the Greer County Sherif's Office to provide a School Resource Officer in the Mangum Public Schools in the upcoming 2023-2024 school year. The Sheriffs Office and Mangum Public schools entered into a contract a year ago and for this past school year a deputy has served at the school during school hours, as well as at school functions such as games and events. Both entities were very pleased with how this first year has gone and both are very excited to continue this program.

Deputy Dennis has been a critical part of our team here at the Greer County Sheriffs Office and I know the school feels the same way. I initially presented the idea to the school a year ago, and they were all for it. We implemented this program, and it has not disappointed, Sheriff McMahan stated. The School Resource Officer has done 24 reports over the school year. Thes reports have ranged from minor calls for service to child abuse investigations, and everything in between. The need for an officer in the schools is more prevalent today than ever before in our nations history. This is something that I feel very strongly about, and Im very glad that our school board members and administration does as well, McMahan continued. Im speaking as a community member, as the spouse of a staff member, and as a parent of a past and future student. The safety of our kids should be among the very top of our list of priorities. Thats why Im glad we have been able to work together with the school to provide this service.

The State of Oklahoma feels the same way. As of 05/16/2023, legislators have agreed upon, yet not signed on the dotted line yet, an education bill that will consist of $150 million dollars for a 3-year pilot program. This program will allow schools to hire, or contract with law enforcement agencies to provide, School Resource Officers as well as other security features for the schools. That will ensure that each school district receives somewhere in the vicinity of $96,000 per year for three years to help keep our students safe. McMahan said, This is a huge deal. The state legislatures feel this is just as important. If this bill gets signed, it will give every school the budget to help keep our kids safe. You can guarantee that I will be more than happy to work with and do what I can to assist both of our school districts in Greer County. I would be honored to have one of my deputies serve in that capacity in Mangum and Granite schools. Its already proven to be of a great benefit in Mangum, and I know it would in Granite as well.