New SRO funding bolsters student safety for District 25 and 20 Other Idaho school districts
Seth Ratliff
POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — Nearly two dozen districts, including Pocatello-Chubbuck School District 25, are receiving new grant funding to boost student safety with School Resource Officers (SROs).
Thanks to the Idaho Legislature and the Millennium Fund, 21 local education agencies (LEAs) across the state will benefit. 12 of these LEAs are getting their first-ever SROs, with funding secured for three years.
“This 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,” said Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield. “Whether our SROs are reinforcing security efforts, being another positive role model or serving as a trusted adult for students, their presence benefits our school communities in so many positive ways.”
Districts applying for the funding demonstrated a strong commitment to collaboration, providing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with their local law enforcement agency and a letter of intent outlining the SRO’s qualifications and training.
The awarded districts and charters are:
Alturas Academy
Boise Independent School District
Cassia County School District
Canyon Owyhee School Service Agency (COSSA)
Council School District
Emmett Independent School District
Gem Prep: Meridian
Gooding School District
Hagerman Joint School District
Hayden Canyon Charter School
Heritage Community Charter School
Highland Joint School District
Kimberly School District
Kootenai Joint School District
Lewiston Independent School District
Marsing School District
New Plymouth School District
Payette Joint School District
Pocatello-Chubbuck School District
Thomas Jefferson Charter School
Weiser School District
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.