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Council presses for school safety funding after SRO grant limits leave May River with temporary guard
Summary
Council discussed the police department monthly report and school safety; the chief said state grant rules prevented immediate funding for a second SRO at May River High, so the district supplied a front‑entrance security guard as an interim step while the town explores funding options.
Council pulled the police department monthly report for discussion and asked about school resource officer (SRO) coverage after the recent storm and ongoing safety concerns.
The police chief (on the record at the meeting) said the department recognized a need for a second SRO at May River. He said state grant rules prevent awarding an additional funded SRO position until all other schools in the state that applied have SRO coverage, so the district provided a security guard at the school’s front entrance as a temporary measure.
"It would be advantageous to have another SRO there," the chief said, noting that the school district supplied a security guard while Officer Lambert patrols other areas of the campus. The chief estimated the typical financing split for a full‑time SRO is roughly 80% paid by the school district and 20% by the town.
Council members asked staff to explore funding options and to work with the district and potential grant sources so the school is not left with only a single officer. The chief said he would report back with additional details on the required ratios or grant criteria.
Council later moved to return the police report to the consent agenda and approve it after the discussion.
