New Hanover County officials have agreed to keep sheriff's deputies in all elementary schools for the rest of the year.
The sheriff's office provided officers at each elementary school in the county this month by paying overtime. The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Monday to pay officers to stay the schools from Feb. 1 to June 15.
County officials estimate it will cost about $600,000 to provide officers for the rest of the year.
Officials plan to use 18 officers on overtime as well as six reserve officers.
This plan will split the cost between the county school board and county government.
Plans to add deputies to each elementary school came up last month after the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Conn.
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