The cost of keeping a school safety resource officer program will rise sharply next year for the Lakeland School District.

County officials confirmed the program is expected to increase from about $500,000 to more than $800,000.

That represents a 68% increase.

Officials said the rise is driven by higher salaries and increased employee benefit rates.

Westchester County provides only a portion of the funding for safety officers assigned to the district.

The county executive said the school district is responsible for paying the remaining cost.