SEASIDE, FL (Dec. 12, 2016) — Thanks to a $25,000 donation from Seaside Associated Stores (SAS), Seaside Neighborhood School has the necessary funds to hire its school’s first full-time on-site School Resource Officer.

Deputy David Talley, 42, has been in law enforcement for 14 years. The Walton County Sheriff’s office has assigned him to Seaside School. He is stationed at the Seaside Neighborhood middle school, but also will serve at the Seacoast Collegiate High School campus as needed.

“The safety of our students is, of course, our No. 1 concern,” Kim Mixson principal for Seaside Neighborhood Middle School says. “This opportunity gives our parents, students and board of directors peace of mind.”

Previously Seaside Neighborhood School shared a part-time deputy who was on call. Deputy Talley who previously worked at an elementary school is familiar with developing a rapport with students. “I really like it,” he says. “I have a good and positive relationship with them. They know they can talk with me and count on me.”

School resource officers (SROs) are sworn law enforcement officers who are responsible for providing security and crime prevention services in the American school environment.

SROs are typically employed by a local police or sheriff’s agency and work closely with administrators in an effort to create a safer environment for both students and staff.

The responsibilities of SROs are similar to regular police officers in that they have the ability to make arrests, respond to calls for service, and document incidents that occur within their jurisdiction. School resource officers typically have additional duties to include mentoring and conducting presentations on youth-related issues.

Seaside Neighborhood School’s deputy will work with faculty, parents and students on various safety awareness programs such as bullying, team building and cyber safety. In addition, he will be on site daily to help with direct traffic during school hours.

“We’re excited about the resources our deputy brings,” Mixson says. “And the fact that he also will work with Seacoast Collegiate High School, means there is potential for students to develop a relationship as a 5th grader and continue it through graduation in 12th grade.”

For more information on Seaside Neighborhood School, call (850) 231-0396 and visit www.seasideschool.net.

For more information on Seaside School, visit www.seasideschool.net.

ABOUT SEASIDE SCHOOL, INC. Established in 1996, Seaside School, Inc. is one of Florida’s first public charter schools located in Seaside, Florida. Seaside School is one charter school serving students on two campuses: Seaside Neighborhood School (grades 5-8) and Seacoast Collegiate High School (grades 9-12). Seaside School recently was honored by the Florida Department of Education as a “pioneer charter school.” Thanks to a dedicated staff, involved parents, and the support of local businesses and community members, Seaside School is consistently ranked one of the top performing schools in the state of Florida, recognized at the national and state levels for academic achievements. Seaside School is funded in part by Seaside School Foundation, Inc. which produces the highly anticipated annual Seaside Half Marathon and 5K Run each spring.