Nearly two dozen school districts and charter schools will bolster student safety and security thanks to a second round of grant funding to support School Resource Officer positions.
The grants are made possible by the Idaho Legislature and the state’s Millenium Fund, and are administered by the Idaho Department of Education.
The department approved funding for 21 local education agencies in all six of the state’s education regions. Of those, 12 will receive funding to bring a School Resource Officer into their district or charter for the first time. The grants support each position for three years.
Locally, the Lewiston Independent School District and the Craigmont-based Highland Joint School District were among the schools and charters to be selected.
Idaho Superintendent of Public Education Debbie Critchfield says the funding means that additional districts and charters will receive resources to support a position that brings valuable peace of mind to parents, staff and students. She added that whether officers are reinforcing security efforts, being another positive role model or serving as a trusted adult for students, their presence benefits Idaho school communities in many positive ways.
To receive funding, applicants were asked to provide a Memorandum of Understanding or (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.
