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Franklin board approves funding for second school resource officer
Summary
The Franklin Board of Education approved adding a second school resource officer after public comment and a brief board discussion. The city will support the position; the district budgeted about $100,000 as an estimate and expects to pay roughly 70% of the officer's salary.
The Franklin Board of Education voted to add a second school resource officer (SRO) to the district staff during its Feb. 5 meeting, following public comment and remarks from city leaders.
Board action: The motion to add the second SRO was made by Mrs. Witkowski and seconded by Mrs. Zyperski; the board voted in favor and the motion carried.
Why it matters: Supporters said a dedicated SRO would let officers spend more consistent time at individual schools instead of shuttling among buildings, and would provide continuity for prevention and crisis-response programs.
Public comment and city support: Jennifer Shipley, a Franklin resident, told the board she supports an additional SRO because the district’s single SRO covers seven schools and is “spread quite thin,” and she credited the current SRO with work on bullying, substance-abuse education and crisis planning. “Our current SRO is very impactful to our district, but is spread quite thin covering all seven of our schools,” Shipley said.
John Nelson, Mayor of Franklin, told the board the Common Council supports the position and that the council had discussed how SROs’ work with juveniles requires extended follow-up: “We are all in on this,” Nelson said.
Cost and logistics: District staff told the board the district would pay 70% of the officer’s cost. The district used a $100,000 annual cost as its budgeting estimate; staff said the district’s share would therefore be approximately $70,000 but the final dollar amount will depend on the salary of the officer ultimately hired. Board members were told the vehicle would be provided from the city’s existing fleet rather than purchasing a new car.
Board discussion and caution: One board member noted concerns about how the presence of uniformed officers may shape responses to student behavior and encouraged follow-up—observations the board recorded as part of its deliberation before approving the position. Board members also said they expect to monitor the program’s implementation and impact.
Next steps: The city indicated it is prepared to support the hire and the board approved adding the position to the district budget. Additional implementation details, including the exact hire and final salary, will be determined by the district and city as they finalize the placement.
Ending: The vote came amid broader discussion of school safety and resource allocation; board members said they intend to review the program’s effects after the position is filled.
