Parents and students can expect an increased law enforcement presence in all city and county schools thanks to a new program initiated by Floyd County Sheriff Tim Burkhalter.

Deputies, Rome police officers and Floyd County police officers are adopting schools, Burkhalter said.

The Adopt-A-School program grew from a forum that took place a few weeks ago with the county schools, Burkhalter said.

Principals and law enforcement wanted more police in the school, but they had to figure out a way to do it.

“We can’t afford to put a school resource officer in every school,” Burkhalter said. “This is what we came up with.”

Deputies and police officers will visit schools sporadically and have lunch or just interact with students and staff. They will choose the school they want to adopt.

“A lot of deputies have kids or grandkids in the schools,” Burkhalter said. “They can spend time with them.”

Officers don’t have a scheduled time to visit the school and they will not distract or disrupt the school activities, he said.

No additional funds are needed for the program, Burkhalter said.

“It’s part of their duties,” he said. “They are keeping it on their log when they visit their school.”

The officers are welcome, school officials said.

All of the four high schools have school resource officers who also visit the other schools, said Tim Hensley, spokesman for the Floyd County Schools. The program will increase the connection between law and enforcement and the students, according to Hensley.

“We are very appreciative of their willingness to do this,” said Jeff Bearden, superintendent of the Rome City Schools.

A meeting will be held with law enforcement and principals and other school staff next month, according to Burkhalter.

After that meeting, which is scheduled for April 11, Bearden said, the program will begin.