MSAD 6 board approves 2025–26 agreement with Cumberland County for school resource officer

Director Welch moved and Director Sargent seconded that the superintendent be authorized to sign a law-enforcement services agreement between the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, the Board of County Commissioners and Maine School Administrative District No. 6 for the 2025–26 school year. The board approved the motion, 10–0.

Why it matters: The agreement funds the district’s school resource officer (SRO) for the coming school year. Board members and administrators discussed how the SRO is deployed across buildings, how calls are logged, and what data the board might track if the district considers adding SRO coverage.

The contract covers one SRO position for 177 school days, August–June. Superintendent (name not specified) and staff stated the $109,397 figure shown in the packet covers salary, benefits, vehicle maintenance and equipment for the nine‑month period.

Board members asked several operational questions. Director Dakotas asked whether the SRO visits all schools monthly; a lieutenant with the sheriff’s office said monthly visits are a goal but do not always occur. The lieutenant said the SRO spends most time at the high school and middle school and responds to calls at other buildings as needed.

Director Dakotas and Director Heath pressed for better data about what the SRO does and which schools generate calls. Director Heath asked the administration to collect clearer, building‑level information next year. The superintendent said Cumberland County provides detailed call logs but they are lengthy; the district has a summary and can request more granular data. The assistant superintendent noted the county’s logs include items such as 911 hangups and nonemergency assistance (for example, transporting a student) and cautioned that the term “arrest” in police records often refers to a summons rather than children being taken to jail.

Students on the board gave anecdotal perspectives. A student member said, “I don't personally see them a whole lot, but that's a good thing,” adding that the SRO’s presence can make some students behave. Another student member said the SRO is “a very personable guy” whose presence helps the school feel safer.

Board chair Carlo and multiple directors said they did not oppose approval of the agreement and suggested the board could request a formal presentation or year‑end report from the sheriff’s office to clarify how the SRO’s time and calls are logged.

The motion to authorize the superintendent to sign the agreement passed with 10 directors voting in the affirmative and none opposed.

Ending: The board approved the SRO agreement as presented and asked administration to return with more detailed, building‑level data if the board requests it during the coming year.