A school safety program many parents say is essential is now at the center of a growing budget debate in the Lakeland School District in Yorktown.

School Resource Officers (SROs) — local police assigned to school buildings — are widely viewed as a critical layer of protection and mentorship for students. But with costs increasing, district leaders and municipal partners are facing difficult decisions about how to keep the program fully funded.

Parents say the impact of SROs goes beyond security.

One Lakeland parent told News 12 that her son has built strong relationships with the officers. She described them as a reassuring presence who help students feel safe and supported throughout the school day.

Funding the program, however, is complex. Costs are shared among the Town of Cortlandt, the Town of Yorktown, and Westchester County. All three are now facing higher expenses tied to the program.

Yorktown Police Chief Robert Noble recently addressed the Lakeland School Board, emphasizing the importance of the officers and the role they play in school communities. His remarks were met with applause.

District leaders say they remain firmly committed to keeping SROs in schools.

Vice President Michael Daly said the program was originally created to provide an added layer of protection following tragedies in other districts — and that it has exceeded expectations.

Still, not all funding partners are prepared to absorb rising costs, leaving uncertainty about how the program will be sustained in the next school year.

Some parents say the answer should be simple.

One parent called it “absurd” that safety could be weighed against financial concerns, adding that officers are trusted figures in the school community.

As budget talks continue, the future funding of the Lakeland School District’s School Resource Officer program remains unresolved.