FLAGLER BEACH, Fla. – The Flagler County mother who deputies say donated $12,000 to station a deputy at her daughter's elementary school released a statement on Tuesday.
In the wake of the deadly shooting at a Connecticut elementary school, Laura Lauria wrote a check for nearly $12,000 to the Flagler County School District to reimburse the Sheriff's Office to station a deputy for 6 hours per day, 5 days per week, at Old Kings Elementary School in Flagler Beach, where her daughter attends school.
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"When it became apparent that funding was the primary obstacle in achieving greater security, Mrs. Lauria made the decision to donate the funds that were necessary to provide a trained, off-duty Sheriff's deputy at Old Kings Elementary," according to a statement released by Lauria's legal team. "Mrs. Lauria sought the approval of several high-ranking school officials before making this donation and worked in conjunction with the proper school and law enforcement authorities every step of the way."
The Sheriff's Office spokesman said Lauria funded the deputy through her police supply company, Police Services Inc., a private manufacturer of safety minded products. The company has no financial ties to Flagler County schools, according to the statement.
Currently, school resource officers are stationed at high schools and three middle schools in Flagler County, but not elementary schools.
"The donation was never intended to become public knowledge and was only made with the intention of giving back to the community," the statement reads. "Laura Lauria and Police Services, Inc. are both ardent supporters of the Flagler County school system and will continue to respect any decisions made by the School Board regarding the implementation of additional security."