March 11, 2026
Contact: Debra Freeman, [email protected], 757-452-1143
New Virginia Majority Applauds Loudoun County Board of Supervisors Decision to Deny Funding for SROs in Elementary Schools
New Virginia Majority applauds the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors in their vote to deny funding to the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office to put Student Resource Officers (SROs) in elementary schools.
Members of the ICE Out of Loudoun Coalition have been advocating to eliminate this line item from the budget, which would have equaled just over $5.3 million in 2027 to hire 15 SROs and added SROs each year for four years until every school was assigned a deputy, which ultimately would have cost $17 million annually.
Funding additional SROs would disproportionately affect students of color, as shown by the sheriff's ongoing collaboration with ICE that endangers students and families. Additionally, research shows that SROs do not make schools safer, but increases the risk that students of color and students with disabilities will be criminalized.
"SROs do not belong in elementary schools and taxpayer dollars should be invested in programs that help keep families stable, such as youth mental health and afterschool programs, and affordable housing. Loudoun County Sheriff's Office has repeatedly demonstrated that it prioritizes politics over community wellbeing through their ongoing collaboration with ICE," said Sofia Saiyed, NVM organizing director.
“We all want the best for our children. If the evidence said that SROs decreased or prevented school shootings, or if educators viewed SROs as a high priority for schools, I would be in favor of them. But neither of those is true! So the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors decision to pass on funding is very welcome," said Chris Armstrong, ICE Out of Loudoun Coalition member.
“This decision restores our hope that the safety of our children also means they can learn without fear. That resources are invested in what truly supports our students—mental health and after-school programs, and safe spaces—not in increased police presence that only creates fear in our communities,” said Edic Aleman, ICE Out of Loudoun Coalition member.
Loudoun County should invest in education programs that benefit students and families, rather than targeting a segment of students. Schools in Virginia should be a place where all students feel safe, rather than fearful of biases and being reported to ICE.
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New Virginia Majority builds power in working-class communities of color, in immigrant communities, among LGBTQ people, women, youth, and progressives across the Commonwealth. We organize for racial and economic justice through large-scale political education, mobilization and advocacy around dozens of issues. We fight for a Virginia that is just, democratic and environmentally sustainable. For more information, visit our website.