Bedford Schools eliminate one liaison officer - 13abc.com Toledo (OH) News, Weather and Sports

Bedford Schools eliminate one liaison officer

Some people wanted to save the position, but on Thursday the Bedford school board voted to eliminate one school resource officer.

Now, instead of spending days in the district, Deputy Sheriff Randy Sehl is heading back to the streets.

"Its not something we've wanted to do," Interim superintendent John White said.

Whites says the decision is based on the district's finances.  Cuts from the state level have forced them to slash spending in order to have a balanced budget.  White says there is no extra money to spend.

We're in deficit.  We're going to be in deficit for the next year or two," he said.

Regina Whalen is one parent who worked tirelessly to save the program.  She and another mom started BSP Cares, an organization aimed at keeping the officers in the schools.  The effort raised some $30,000, but it was $50,000 short of the goal.

"Unfortunately the dollars spoke in this case and we didn't raise as much as we though we would," Whalen told 13abc.

Whalen says the silver lining is that the district is able to keep one of the Monroe County Sheriff's Deputies.  Still, saying goodbye isn't easy.