Toledo Public Schools Assumed Full SRO Costs
The school district will cover the total salary and benefits for remaining police officers assigned to high schools.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Administration
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Toledo Public Schools has agreed to pay 100% of the costs for school resource officers, totaling under $279,000 for the current school year. This shift follows a reduction in the number of police personnel working within district facilities.
Why it matters
The change arises as the Toledo Police Department manages staffing and resource efficiency challenges, while the city cites budget constraints for potential future modifications. The school district has responded by hiring its own dedicated security personnel to maintain campus safety.
Toledo Public Schools will fund 100% of the $279,000 bill for three remaining SROs while employing seven security officers and two command staff. Separately, Washington Local Schools will pay $94,000 for two officers.
The players
Toledo Public Schools
This is the primary public school district serving the city of Toledo, Ohio.
Toledo Police Department
This is the municipal law enforcement agency responsible for policing the city of Toledo.
Washington Local Schools
This is a separate school district in the Toledo area that reached its own policing agreement with the city.
The details
The district now relies more heavily on its internal security team after the police department cut the number of officers assigned to schools from six to three. These remaining officers are stationed exclusively at Start, Scott, and Woodward high schools.
Timeline
October 7, 2026: The current contractual agreement was finalized.
November 2026: A 6.9 mill tax levy will appear on the local ballot.
Culture Shift
This move represents a broader pivot where local school districts are increasingly assuming the full financial burden of campus law enforcement. It reflects a shift away from traditional city-funded school policing models toward autonomous, district-managed safety structures.
Residents should be aware that the 6.9 mill levy on the upcoming November ballot could significantly impact local property tax obligations. Additionally, the district's shift to hiring its own security staff may lead to changes in campus access and overall safety protocols for students and families.
The takeaway
The city has indicated that this could be the final year it permits police officers to operate within local schools due to ongoing fiscal constraints. Families should monitor the upcoming levy vote as a key indicator of future funding and safety staffing levels for the district.
What happens next
A 6.9 mill tax levy is scheduled to appear on the ballot for voters to decide in November 2026.
Further reading
For more information on district operations, visit the Administration section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by 13abc.
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