Concord board weighs adding full-time school resource officer at middle school

Jay Vershaire, Runeland Middle School principal, and Sergeant Ben Mitchell of the Concord Police Department presented data and answered school board questions on March 5 as the Concord School Board considered adding a full‑time school resource officer to the district’s proposed FY26 budget.

Vershaire said the school has seen “44 lost learning days due to nicotine/THC vape,” 26 school safety reports this school year and 25 Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) reports, and argued those data support having an on‑site officer. “If kids know that you care about them and you know them personally, they're much more likely to listen to you,” Vershaire told the board, saying a dedicated SRO could build relationships that help prevent safety incidents.

The Concord Police Department’s Sergeant Ben Mitchell described the SRO role as an on‑site law enforcement liaison who can deter violence, respond more quickly than patrol officers and participate in prevention and education. Mitchell noted some SROs teach Internet safety curricula through the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force and emphasized coordination with administrators and social workers. “The SRO is fully present at the school… their full time job is to be at that school and take responsibility for what happens at that school,” Mitchell said.

Board members pressed for limits and clarifications. Several asked how SRO duties would differ from routine patrol responses, how SROs would be credentialed for classroom work, and whether officers would be involved in immigration enforcement. Mitchell and staff said SROs would not “usurp the rights and responsibilities of the principal,” that SROs are not certified classroom teachers and that the department does not conduct immigration enforcement absent an underlying criminal investigation. The district’s social worker, Haley Lincoln, explained how her role differs from an SRO and said having familiar adults present during home visits or wellness checks can reduce escalation.

Questions also focused on juvenile procedures. Mitchell explained that in New Hampshire a 2022 law requires a CANS (Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths) needs assessment before filing most juvenile petitions; exceptions exist for serious offenses. He said the assessment helps determine whether court referral, counseling, or other services are most appropriate.

Board members and staff said they had received both letters supporting and emails opposing an SRO. Several trustees expressed concerns about placing police in schools and noted possible alternatives such as expanding restorative justice staff. After extended discussion, the board agreed to keep the SRO line item in the proposed FY26 budget and defer a final decision until after public comment at the budget hearings.

Ending The board did not adopt a final policy tonight. District staff and police were asked to return with additional detail on scope, training, credentialing for any classroom involvement, grant opportunities, and written memoranda of understanding, and the SRO proposal will be considered again after public comment on the posted budget.