Area districts awarded SRO funding

Two North Idaho districts are among more than two dozen districts and charters that will get a boost in their efforts to provide a safe and secure school environment with newly-available funding for school resource officers. The grants for the positions were made possible by the Idaho Legislature and the state’s Millennium Fund and administered by the Idaho Department of Education.

The department approved funding for all 27 applicants. Recipients include 19 rural districts representing all six educational regions in Idaho, school officials said. The funding will allow 10 recipients to hire their first ever SRO. The grant will support each position for three years.

“I’m so pleased that we were able to allocate funds to each applicant,” said Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield. “It’s no secret that both in Idaho and nationwide, schools are looking to reinforce safety and security for students and staff, and this initiative is a step towards providing them with the environment they need to flourish.”

In Bonner and Boundary counties, both the West Bonner County School District and the Boundary County School District received grant funding for the positions.

To receive funding, applicants were asked to provide an MOU created between the district and their local law enforcement agency, as well as a letter of intent stating potential applicants’ qualifications and training for the position.

Clearwater County Sheriff Chris Goetz worked with the Orofino Joint School District to secure the school’s first-ever SRO position.

“Clearwater County has been trying to find a way to fund an SRO for several years but we haven’t been able to until now,” Goetz said. “The district and the sheriff’s office are excited for the grant opportunity and the fact that the position will be funded for three years. This will give us time to prove how important the SRO role will be in our schools as we make plans to fund it long term. In law enforcement, we know the relationships that SROs build with students can last a lifetime.”

In total, the state will provide $2,201,415 to local schools to help fund the 27 SRO positions this year.

The Bruneau-Grand View Joint School District partnered with the Owyhee County Sheriff’s Office to secure an SRO. Superintendent Jeff Blaser says the officer will play a “crucial” role in the district.

“The SRO position will help improve our students’ educational experience through a combination of enhancing safety, fostering a positive school environment and providing educational support,” Blaser said. “We are extremely thankful for this opportunity.”