Springdale moves from middle-school SROs to CSSOs, deploys weapons-detection system at events

Larry Little, the district safety coordinator, told the Springdale School Board on Sept. 9 that the district continues to expand campus safety measures, reporting both technology deployments and staff restructuring.

Little said the district deployed an Open Gate weapons-detection system at school board meetings and athletic events and has used it at state basketball and wrestling tournaments. He said the system can move about 3,600 people an hour and that the public response has been "overwhelmingly positive." Little described staff training and the process for resolving items that trigger the device.

Little also outlined a transition of security staffing: several middle schools (Hellstrom, Helen Tyson, J.O. Kelly and Sonora), plus Rollins Elementary, have moved from SROs to five civilian school safety officers (CSSOs). Little said the five CSSOs bring a combined 85 years of experience across law enforcement, military and private security backgrounds and that the change produced district savings without "sacrificing any safety or security."

He described stronger partnerships with the Springdale Police Department and the Washington County Sheriff's Office and said deputies are visiting some campuses regularly and have access to district radios and Wi-Fi to submit reports. Little also noted the district's ability to use a nearby shooting range for training.

Little invited questions but said he would leave before them, summarizing the work as ongoing and emphasizing the district's commitment to continuous improvement in safety practices.