Pembroke School Committee approves updated school resource officer agreement; discussion focuses on door security, trails and traffic safety

The Pembroke School Committee unanimously approved an updated memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Pembroke Police Department that clarifies how the school resource officer (SRO) works in district schools and how the district and police will share information.

The MOU, described by the superintendent as modeled on the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education template and comparing the district’s 2015 version with the current draft, was approved “as amended” after a brief round of questions about qualifications and conflict-of-interest procedures. Motion to accept the MOU was moved by Sue and seconded by Allison; the vote was recorded as unanimous in the public meeting.

Why it matters: The agreement defines day-to-day SRO duties, information-sharing with school administrators and lines of communication between the police and the schools. Committee members said they want clearer public information about negotiations and personnel-related matters where legally permitted; the district said it will add a public link with negotiable information and redactions required by law.

Key details and discussion

The draft MOU was described as similar to a DESE template and as an update to the district’s 2015 document. The superintendent told the committee the new agreement outlines “how the school resource officer works within our building over the course of the school day, and how we work together on things that happen outside of school.” Chief McDonald and School Resource Officer Mary Beth Simmons attended the meeting to answer questions.

Chief McDonald said day-to-day communication between the department and schools has been strong: “We can make it more formal. We do meet. Probably not as on schedule as it should be. But other than that, it’s been working well.” He added that he and school administrators have a candid working relationship and exchange resources when needed.

Officer Mary Beth Simmons, who took the SRO role several months ago, described her transition from patrol as positive and credited the district’s comfort dog, Sasha, with helping open lines of communication with students and staff: “It’s definitely different than patrol, I think, for the better for my part, at least. Sasha has helped with that a thousand percent. Just building connections with the kids at elementary schools, high schools… It’s just an icebreaker with kids.”

Committee members asked about several school-safety topics beyond the MOU:

- Door security and human behavior: Committee members and officers discussed doors being propped open during recess or transitions. The superintendent and staff said some doors have mechanical issues that have been addressed and that the district intends to seek additional funding in future facilities budgets to add fobs; previously the district fobbed two doors at each of the four elementary schools and three doors at the high school. School staff said the remaining challenge is habitual human behavior and that they plan to reinforce expectations with staff and students and to “police” the practice internally. Officer Simmons said she has been conducting building checks and raising issues when she sees them; most have been addressed promptly.

- Trails, hunting and cross-country teams: Committee members raised that some cross-country trails used by students are on public land where hunting is legal in season. Chief McDonald and officers said they have not had reports of conflicts between runners and hunters but recommended awareness measures: informing parents and coaches, adding signage on trails and considering orange apparel during hunting seasons. The committee agreed coaches and parents should be notified and that signage near trails and playgrounds could help.

- Learning Lane traffic and bus safety: Parents and student representatives described congestion and unsafe driving on Learning Lane during arrival and dismissal. Police representatives said they have been working with the Department of Public Works and the town manager on signage; limited electrical service in parts of the road makes some options difficult but solar-powered flashing school signs were discussed. Officers said they can position patrol vehicles during problem times on request, and committee members encouraged targeted enforcement during morning pick-up and drop-off.

- Community expectations and conflict-of-interest: A committee member asked whether the police chief considers potential conflicts of interest when assigning officers to school duty. Chief McDonald said officers are subject to the department’s ethics process and those considerations are factored in.

What the committee directed and next steps

- The committee approved the SRO MOU “as amended” and requested that the district add a link on the Pembroke Public Schools website listing negotiable or public information about teacher negotiations and related matters (subject to legal limits). The superintendent said she will respond to a pending level-2 grievance within the 10-school-day period required by contract; the superintendent’s reply is not public record, the district said.

- District staff said they will prioritize repairs and additional fobbing of doors in future facilities budgets, coordinate with the town on signage for trails and Learning Lane, and continue SRO building checks and communication with principals.

Quotes (from meeting)

“This committee is not going to stand for bullying, intimidation, or harassment of the administration or our team. We are going to respond to these things until it stops.” — Patrick, School Committee member

“We’ve always had that communication … It worked well. If it ain’t broken, don’t fix it.” — Chief McDonald, Pembroke Police Department

“Sasha has helped with that a thousand percent. Just building connections with the kids…” — Mary Beth Simmons, School Resource Officer

Ending

Committee members thanked Officer Simmons, Chief McDonald and outgoing Officer Kirby for service. The district said it will post publicly available negotiation materials and a schedule of future actions when permitted by law.