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Milford BOE proposes armed school security officers at elementary schools; aldermen press for details on numbers and training
Summary
The Board of Education proposed spending $576,000 for armed school security officers (SSOs) at elementary schools and the academy; BOE described SSOs as retired, district‑employed officers with strict qualifications and annual training, while aldermen sought clarification about roles, counts and cost sharing with MPD.
The Milford Board of Education asked the Board of Aldermen to consider a $576,000 proposal to employ armed school security officers (SSOs) at the district’s elementary schools and the academy, telling aldermen the officers would be retired, highly qualified former law‑enforcement personnel employed by the district.
"The SSO is a highly qualified retired former law enforcement officer," Dr. Kataya said during the April 16 presentation, and BOE staff outlined screening and training that would include background checks, a psychological evaluation, references, and annual training beyond the state minimum. The presentation emphasized that SSOs would be district employees focused on prevention and would not carry a disciplinary role in elementary schools.
Jeff Nielsen, director of safety and security and a retired Milford police sergeant, told the board the district consulted eight other districts with SSO programs and would coordinate hiring, training and an MOU with the Milford Police Department. "Police Department will be involved in a lot of aspects of what we do, whether it's ... building a program, developing an MOU with them, how our training is gonna be," Nielsen said.
Aldermen pressed for clarification on staffing counts and responsibilities. Alderman Bevan noted the budget lists four security guards and 10 school security officers and asked how SROs reported in the police budget fit into the plan; BOE staff said SROs remain police officers assigned by the department and that SSOs are distinct, district employees. BOE staff said the district pays part of the cost for SROs in a cost‑share arrangement with the police department.
Supporters on the dais said the SSO model is intended as a preventative, community‑embedded role. Alderman Healy said the position can provide an immediate deterrent and quick action in extreme events, while BOE staff stressed introducing SSOs to elementary students in developmentally appropriate ways and described daily, active engagement (classroom visits, recess coverage, building presence) rather than a stationary post.
Next steps: aldermen requested more detail about the proposed staffing model, cost comparisons to using SROs, and the BOE’s hiring and supervision plan. No contract or appropriation was approved at the session; further deliberation and possible budget amendments will occur as the aldermen review the full city budget.
