[cogman10]

The answer is simple, we've been ever expanding the number of roles for maintaining a school.

For example, pretty much every school now-a-days has 1 or multiple SROs assigned to their schools. Cops get paid quite well which means throwing an additional $250k+ into everyone's budget.

Every school now has an IT department which practically did not exist in the past. That costs money.

Then there is just general admin bloat that takes an excessive chunk of money out of schools (For example, PR and marketing for public schools... which is a bit ridiculous, but you district almost certainly is employing them).

There are also just general infrastructure bills coming due with construction prices being higher than ever. Schools built in the 70s are often in desperate need of repair/refurbishment.

Corruption may play a role, but I suspect the way it mostly manifests itself is a principle hiring their do-nothing family member in a role they aren't qualified to fill (so they double fill it).

[rachofsunshine]

> Corruption may play a role, but I suspect the way it mostly manifests itself is a principle hiring their do-nothing family member in a role they aren't qualified to fill (so they double fill it).

But (assuming that this is a correct claim, which seems plausible but which I don't think I can prove) that IS corruption. What else would you call that? It's people in whom we entrust our public resources funneling them to their friends.

[timeon]

Why would school need a cop?

[BizarroLand]

Because who else is going to handcuff and tase a 7 year old before arresting them and taking them to juvie for not turning in their homework?

For real, though, it's because we've made it a social taboo for teachers to touch children or to strike back to defend themselves, and the troubled kids whose parents gave them up for emotional adoption to Youtube and Tiktok know this and would nefariously exploit the power imbalance if it were not for the very real and plausible threat of being tackled by a 40%-chance-of-being-a-wife-abuser washed up former highschool football player too stupid to get a bach degree that is legally allowed to execute them without consequence.

[shakna]

Touching kids is a no-no over here, across the sea, but security is only patrolling overnight. Not during school hours.

Seems the need for police goes a bit further culturally...

[giantg2]

Yeah, it's pretty common for teachers in some schools in the US to be assaulted by students. Many schools have metal detectors and other security measures.

[cogman10]

The social taboo isn't, IMO, necessarily wrong. There should be a check on adults that need to physically handle a kid. Abusive teachers exist and having a check on anyone working with kids is important.

I'd also point out that smaller (and or older) female teachers can be overpowered by teen boys.

But using cops as a solution is frankly idiotic. Kids do idiotic shit and bringing down the full force of the law against them is insane. For all the reasons you point out, a cop is the worst possible person to rely on for physical restraint.

[giantg2]

"But using cops as a solution is frankly idiotic. Kids do idiotic shit and bringing down the full force of the law against them is insane."

SROs tend to be lenient and try not to file charges if possible, or even get involved if it's a minor thing.

From what you're saying, the problem isn't having police in schools. The problem is that the laws can be harsh - for juveniles or adults, in school or elsewhere.