Lyons Approves Four SROs for Toombs County Schools

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The Lyons City Council unanimously approved providing four School Resource Officers (SROs) for the Toombs County School District during the Council’s regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, August 6.

This decision comes from a combination of the state funding from an initiative by Governor Brian Kemp to increase school safety and the decision of the city to invest in local schools. The state funding will provide $50,000 for each officer, but the Lyons Police Department has agreed to almost match that funding in the amount of cars and equipment that will be provided to each officer. Councilman John Moore, Jr., was one of the leaders in adopting this agreement. “We have had a great partnership with the school system throughout the years, and this just seemed like a great way to give back,” he remarked. “As a city, we wanted to really invest in our school systems. We already have one SRO in the district – Johnathan McGahee – who is really loved and great at his job, and we are excited to add to that.”

He emphasized, “At the end of the day, it’s about protecting our babies.”

The Department plans to hire an additional four officers to its current 12-officer staff to ensure that every school —including Toombs Central Elementary School, which i outside the city limits — has access to an officer when needed. The new officers will be introduced to the public upon their hiring.

Also during the meeting, the Council approved exchanging property with Ralph H. Lankford, Jr., as he relinquishes a small tract of land by the water tower to the City, and the City gives Lankford a small piece of property adjacent to property which he already owns along Broad Street, near the Toombs County Courthouse. Because of the equivalent values of these properties, no money will be exchanged. Council members also selected McLendon Enterprises to complete the Transportation Investment Act Band 2 project of paving a downtown parking lot. This project will cost $191,715, which will be paid through state and local funds.

The FY23 budget was amended to include an appropriation of $46,000 to repair the Hilton Drive Lift Station #3, which recently malfunctioned.

The next City Council work session will be on Tuesday, August 27, and the next meeting will be on Tuesday, September 3. Each meeting begins at 6 p.m. in the Council Chambers.