Stoughton school board hears wide-ranging debate on reinstating school resource officer

The Stoughton Area School District Board of Education held an extended discussion about whether to reinstate a school resource officer (SRO), hearing multiple in-person and written public comments both for and against the position and receiving presentations from district administrators on how an SRO would be used.

The discussion matters because supporters said an on-site, dedicated SRO improves response times, builds relationships, and frees administrators to focus on instruction, while opponents warned about the disproportionate impact on students of color and urged investment in counselors and mental-health staff instead. The board did not take a formal vote on creating an SRO contract at this meeting.

At the start of public comment, parent Jessica Reucop urged the board to restore the SRO position, saying the district’s SRO post “still sits empty” four years after it was discontinued and recounting the 2021 Alice alert at the high school: “As somebody who worked in the attendance office at the time, I am absolutely certain that an SRO in the building would have provided better communication with the Stoughton Police before, during, and after the event.” Several other parents voiced similar views in-person and in emailed comments, arguing the SRO provides mentorship, rapid emergency response and partnership with counselors.

Other members of the public urged caution. In-person commenter Amanda Bridal said SROs “cost money, and statistics show they don't always prevent more…