The Dillon County Sheriff and the Dillon County Board of Education have partnered to place a deputy at Latta Elementary School, Latta Early Childhood Center and Gordon Elementary School.

The county board is paying the officers and the sheriff's office is footing the bill for maintenance and gas for the deputies' cars.

Superintendents in Dillon School District Three and Four say the presence of the officers is making a big difference in security.

"We've had to admit that while we don't think something would happen, we'd rather air on the side of safety and we're very appreciative that the sheriff has that same kind of feeling ," said Dr. John Kirby, Dillon School District 3.

"It's just a better feeling to drop your child off at the school and you see that deputy's car sitting there knowing that we got somebody right on hand. Whoever thought that that would be something that we would be dealing with 10, 15 years ago," said Ray Rogers, Dillon School District 4.

The county school board has asked the county to help fund the cost of the deputies at the elementary schools next year, and that could cost around $500,000.

"Funding's very critical of course, and we're hearing that the legislatures are possibly about to begin this discussion of statewide funding," Dr. Kirby explained. "We realize that's going to be difficult and some state leaders are saying that should be a function of local government."

"I don't think that any of us can look at money when our children's safety is in question. So, I don't think we have an opportunity to do anything, but find it somehow, someway," said Rogers.

Dillon County Council is expected to discuss this matter at next month's board meeting.

There are 13 schools in Dillon County with about 4,700 students.

School Resource Officers are already in place at the county's middle and high schools.