When students go to school next week, they will be without a familiar face: School Resource Officer Karl Baptiste.

“Due to significant budgetary constraints, Officer Baptiste has been reassigned to patrol duties,” said Kevin Walsh, Wareham Police Department Interim Chief.

“I go back to patrol on Sunday, and that’s all I can say,” Baptiste said.

“The School Resource Officer is being reassigned to a regular shift rotation,” Town Administrator Derek Sullivan said. “The current police department budget is projected to be in deficit before the end of the fiscal year. We have looked at all measures to bridge the gap and bringing the School Resource Officer back into a regular shift rotation is one of those steps.”

Erin Court, a parent of three Wareham Public Schools students, was shocked to hear the news.

“I think it’s a big mistake. I understand the town has a budget, and the police has a budget, but I need to voice my concern,” Court said. “Once kids find out about this, watch what happens.”

“There’s a lot of bullying going on in schools,” Court added.

Court said Baptiste has helped her family on multiple occasions. Once, he helped out her daughter, who was being picked on, by working with the families involved. Another incident was more serious.

“My 17-year-old’s ex-friend showed up at our house, threatening to k-i-l-l him,” Court said. “Karl took care of it.”

“He has a personal connection with kids,” Court said. “I told my daughter it was happening, and she almost cried.”

Wareham Public Schools did not contribute to funding the position, according to Superintendent Kimberly Shaver-Hood.

“We’re really sorry that we’re at that state. He has been part of our school. He’ll be missed,” Shaver-Hood said. “We certainly wish our financial picture was different.”

Shaver-Hood said that the school does not have the funds to support the position.

“I wish we could come up with something,” said Shaver-Hood.

“There will not be a dedicated School Resource Officer, but there will still be a police presence in the Wareham Schools,” Sullivan said. “Chief Walsh is working with school staff and plans to have officers conducting periodic walk-through's.”