Residents, school leaders and police debate $100,000 school resource officer in RSU 06 budget

A proposed $100,000 line item to add a school resource officer to the RSU 06 budget prompted a heated discussion at the district’s budget workshop, with parents, residents, school administrators and police offering contrasting views on whether an armed officer is the right use of limited funds.

Public commenters pressed the board to prioritize school-based mental-health staff over an SRO. “I have no issues with our officers, but my 9 year old does not need an armed police officer in her school,” said Jess, a parent who described gaps in on-campus counseling and social-work capacity. Ashley Coonsai, who identified herself as a Hollis resident, urged the board to weigh research that she said shows SROs can increase arrests and disciplinary outcomes for students and noted the supplemental packet appeared to fund a half‑time social worker while proposing a more costly SRO. “The issue here is mental health,” Coonsai said. “A school resource officer is not that person that can help with that concern.”

School leaders…