Parents and educators in the Lakeland School District are raising concerns after learning a program that places school safety officers in buildings could be on the chopping block.

The issue gained traction after a social media post suggested the district’s school resource officer program might be cut from the budget.

Superintendent Dr. Karen Gagliardi confirmed to News 12 that the district is currently in negotiations with local law enforcement about the future of the program. She says no final decision has been made.

The topic drew strong reactions at last Thursday’s school board meeting, where community members voiced concerns about student safety.

One parent said the presence of an officer plays a critical role in how safe students feel at school.

“My oldest son consistently tells me and my husband he feels totally safe at school,” Burton said. “When we ask him why, he answers very simply because there is an officer in my building. Having a police officer makes the whole building safe. That sense of security matters.”

Many who spoke at the meeting emphasized the importance of having officers already on campus, pointing to response times in emergencies.

Statistics show police typically respond to school emergencies within three to five minutes, but parents and educators argued those minutes can make a significant difference.

The district has not announced when a final decision on the program will be made.