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Sahuarita board approves FY24–25 school resource officer agreements, expands middle-school coverage
Summary
The Sahuarita Unified District board approved FY2024–25 SRO agreements that maintain officers at two high schools and expand middle-school coverage from one officer to two; funding is a mix of grant money, district operations funds and contributions from the police department and town. Superintendent Dr. Manuel Valen framed the SROs as part of a three-pronged safety strategy including training and camera upgrades.
The Sahuarita Unified District (4411) Governing Board on a voice vote approved FY2024–25 School Resource Officer (SRO) agreements that continue SRO coverage at Sahuarita High School and Walen Grove High School and expand middle-school coverage from one officer to two.
"The SRO is a programmatic element...the function of the school resource officers is multifaceted," Superintendent Dr. Manuel Valen said while recommending approval, adding that the agreements have been in place for about "eight or 10 years" and the program has evolved to include training, tactical exercises and physical-security upgrades. "We're doing it together — community effort," Valen said.
Valen told the board the district approaches school safety on three fronts: programmatic (SROs and education), tactical (regional law-enforcement exercises, including an active-shooter exercise at Walen Grove High School this week) and the physical environment (new digital camera systems and high-tech door surfaces funded by a local bond). He also said the district is coordinating training on threat assessments and student-centered responses with law-enforcement and mental-health partners.
Funding for the SRO positions was described as a mix: two positions are supported through a district "proactive initiative" and Arizona Department of Education funding, one position is funded from maintenance and operations, and the most recent position is funded through a partnership with the Sahuarita Police Department and the town of Sahuarita. Board members voiced general support for the collaborative funding approach and for continuing joint meetings with the town and police to refine the program.
Board discussion included expressions of support and a note of caution: one member said they were "a little hesitant" but willing to pursue the program while ironing out existing "wrinkles" through continued collaboration. No formal amendment to the agreement was recorded in the meeting minutes.
The board approved the superintendent's recommendation by voice vote and moved on to other agenda items.
