Parents press Tumwater council for clarity after student resource officer reassignment
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Summary
Parents and residents said an SRO left Bush Middle School without clear notice; city officials said the move was temporary and caused by staffing shortages, and promised improved public communication and to restore SRO coverage as resources allow.
Two parents who spoke during public comment on March 3 told the Tumwater City Council that the sudden absence of a student resource officer at Bush Middle School caused alarm among families when the change appeared on social media without formal notice.
"My phone blew up when I picked my child up from school because parents were asking me why is the student resource officer being removed from Bush Middle School," said Trista Mason, who identified herself as a parent in the Tumwater School District and asked the council to ensure families receive timely information.
Former Mayor Debbie Sullivan also urged more transparency, saying a recent contract with the school district had anticipated SRO coverage and that sudden shifts in staffing were especially confounding so soon after a contract began. "We need to be much more transparent on things that impact the students," Sullivan said.
City Administrator Paul Simmons and Mayor Lietta Dalhoff responded that the change reflected longer-term staffing shortages, recent retirements and officers placed on light duty; Simmons said the city has been communicating with the superintendent and is prioritizing restoration of SRO coverage. "This is not a problem that just started in the last month," Simmons said, adding the city will continue publishing chief's messages and updates on Tumwater public channels.
The mayor said the city is requesting a joint meeting with the school district in April to provide a fuller update, and reiterated that, "We are committed to the SRO program" and that the removal was temporary.