But it may be the last first day of school for these cops.  The district may not have the money to pay for the police in the next budget without help.

The Columbia Police Department has asked the school district to spilt the cost of officer salaries for the 2009-2010 school year.  If the district doesn't come up with the money, the police department will pull its officers after this school year.

This comes after a spike in crime last year caused the police to move three school police officers from schools to the streets.  This is a move one school officer says shows the importance of law enforcement's presence.

"We can patrol inside and outside the building when class is going on passing time is occurring that gives another set of eyes to the building that we wouldn't have if we weren't here," said John Warner, school resource officer.

School officials say they'll discuss covering more of the officers salaries at upcoming budget meetings.

But they say it's too early to say whether the district can afford the increase.

Currently the school district pays 60 percent of high school officers salaries but does not pay for middle or junior high school officers.