Sparta District Implements SRO Position in Schools

Written by: Elise Kerim 

Notice any additions in the school building upon return from break?

Not the art murals.

Not the water bottle station -  that's been there for awhile.

Rather, a School Resource Officer. The Sparta Board of Education has implemented the position of an SRO in schools in an effort to increase safety and security for the district starting on Monday, April 9. There are different classes of SRO positions across the nation, however, the one Sparta has is a current serving police officer, Officer David Pridham. As a result of a 'job opening' within the police department, Officer Pridham has been assigned to be the designated SRO in all five district buildings. He has been trained in the position and was picked as a result of his interest in working for young people and schools.

An efficient School Resource Officer works in three strands that work cohesively:

EDUCATION: this may include going into classrooms when asked. For example, the SRO could be a guest speaker in a history class, discussing Amendment IV with students or going into health classes and informing students on signs of drug use and abuse.

CAMPUS SAFETY: includes general and additional safety concerns of the school which a police officer would be equipped to handle, such as emergency response management.

LEGAL ISSUES: issues that go above the standard school Code of Conduct that involves the law. The SRO would be necessary when a true legal matter arises versus a suspension of a student.

The responsibility of an SRO differs from those of the security guards at the high school. Security officers at Sparta High, Mr. Sullivan and Mr. Zill, are not expected to deal with legal matters and education in the classroom.

According to Vice Principal Mr. Schels regarding the new position, he stated that there was an SRO during the time Mr. Schels was a teacher. (Previously, Mr. Schels was a teacher and then the Social Studies and World Language Superintendent before becoming one of the Vice Principals of SHS.) Nearly a decade ago, the school faced budget cuts at the state level and the SRO was cut, Schels stating that it was "one of the tough choices made by the Board of Education."

Regarding his position, Officer Pridham stated, "I'm hoping kids will feel safer in the school and feel like they can talk to me. I want to be able to point them in the right direction." In the resurgence of the position, Officer Pridham is housed in an office next to the auxiliary gym. "I get how life as a student is difficult," Pridham continues, "I had two kids in the district. Students have their home lives, they're playing a sport, working, and it can get to be a lot." The stigma of a police officer in uniform may be intimidating to some, however the position will "absolutely not" impact school climate, according to the Board of Education and school administration. "I'm always here to talk. I want to be able to point them in the right direction," Pridham proudly states.