Board approves IGA to re‑establish school resource officer; city funding and hiring timeline remain open

The St. Helens School District board approved an intergovernmental agreement to re-establish a school resource officer (SRO) partnership with the City of St. Helens and the St. Helens Police Department, with the district and police aiming to place a single officer at St. Helens High School beginning in August 2025.

Acting Superintendent Dr. Webb recommended re-establishing the SRO program and told the board that "the annual cost of the contract is a hundred and 70,000 for 1 officer placed at St. Helens High School." The recommendation is included in the IGA packet provided to the board.

Acting Chief Hogue, invited to the meeting, described a long local history of SROs in the district and said the department plans to appoint an experienced officer rather than a new recruit. "The person selected for this position, we're not looking at a brand new officer," Chief Hogue said, adding that the job description and expectations will be updated to emphasize relationship-building, teaching and mentoring as well as enforcement.

Why it matters: The board voted to proceed with the IGA, signaling the district will plan for the SRO in its spring budget development. The decision does not guarantee the officer will be in place before school starts; Chief Hogue and others emphasized hiring, onboarding and budget approvals are necessary steps.

Key details and debate: - Cost and timing: Dr. Webb said the annual cost is $170,000 and proposed the program start in August 2025 so the expense can be included in next school-year budget planning. - Hiring and staffing: Chief Hogue said the city would appoint an experienced officer and backfill the department's patrol shift as needed; he noted hiring and field training can take time and that, for an entry-level officer, it may be 18–24 months before fully field-ready, so selecting an experienced officer is the plan. - Role description: Chief Hogue and board members described a revised SRO role focused on prevention, mentoring, classroom presentations and community engagement. Board members highlighted duties including giving presentations on law topics and working with principals on safety planning. - City funding: Board members asked whether the city council would sustain funding beyond the initial contract; Chief Hogue said the city funding conversation would follow board approval of the IGA.

Public response: Several speakers supported restoring an SRO. Stephanie Kroll, a community member who identified herself in public comment, said officers can "inspire" students and described a personal story of police intervention she credited with helping her years earlier. Other commenters requested trauma-informed training for officers, suggested parents be notified when officers interview students, and asked for national rather than state-only background checks for hires.

Vote and next steps: The board moved and seconded the IGA motion and approved it in open session; the clerk recorded the motion as passed (the meeting transcript did not record a roll-call tally in the public record). The district and city will continue discussions about funding and the police department will begin a hiring process that aims to recruit an experienced officer and provide appropriate onboarding and training.

Ending note: Board members and staff framed the SRO as one component of a broader safety strategy; the board approved the IGA to permit further planning during the spring budget process.