Worcester County commissioners voted to table Item 12 — a sheriff's office request to place school resource deputies in private and faith-based schools — after commissioners said they had not received sufficient legal and insurance guidance to proceed.

Commissioner Metresick moved to table the item, citing the need for additional legal advice and clarification on which institutions would qualify; Commissioner Bunting seconded the motion and the item was tabled.

The move to table came after County Attorney Roscoe Leslie and other commissioners said the request lacked key information about liability, criteria for what constitutes a “private school,” and whether the sheriff's office had consulted outside authorities such as the state attorney general or the county's insurer.

Why it matters: dozens of parents and community members urged the commissioners to approve coverage for three private schools in the county, saying children attending faith-based and private schools should receive the same protections as public-school students. Commissioners said they would not advance policy absent answers about legal authority and insurance exposure.

Public comment was strongly in favor of providing deputies. Katie Addis (11043 Mumford Road, Bishopville) told commissioners that private-school families should not be left without security because they chose different schools and said asking private schools to fund deputies could create “discriminatory” outcomes.

Brian Murphy (18 Quarterstaff Place, Ocean Pines), who said he is the parent of two children at Most Blessed Sacrament (MBS), said: “We as a county have a moral obligation to protect not just Worcester County residents but visitors.”

Other speakers described the demographics and financial limitations of the private schools. Christie Murphy said 45% of families at MBS receive financial assistance and 53% of MBS students live in Worcester County, arguing many private-school families could not fund an SRD themselves.

Commissioners and staff emphasized the legal and administrative gaps. Commissioner Metresick said there had been no agreed criteria about what qualifies as a private school and asked that the county also consult its insurance carrier about potential liability. The county attorney’s office will advise commissioners on whether any state or federal guidance — or consultation with the attorney general — is necessary before the county can commit deputies to private campuses.

Next steps: commissioners did not set a firm date for reconsideration. The motion to table was made on the record and will remain on the agenda until staff and legal counsel provide the requested analyses and communications with outside entities.

Votes and procedural notes: the motion to table Item 12 was moved by Commissioner Metresick and seconded by Commissioner Bunting. The transcript records the motion and a subsequent vote in open session to table the item; the agenda item was not advanced to a final decision on assignment of deputies.

Community context: Many public commenters framed their pleas around recent national school-targeted incidents and said they wanted uniform protection across public and private campuses. Commissioners repeatedly distinguished public comment and a formal vote on the request; they said public safety and legal exposure must both be considered before policy changes.

Ending: The county will not implement the sheriff’s proposal for private-school SRDs until staff return with legal and insurance guidance and any other documents commissioners request.