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Preston welcomes new superintendent, signals support for more resource officers
Summary
Gary Thomas, newly hired superintendent for the Preston schools, introduced himself to the council and told members he supports placing resource officers in more schools; he cited discipline issues among young children and said officers can serve as relationship-builders rather than strictly punitive figures.
Gary Thomas, who said he started July 1 and has 31 years in education, told the council he feels "a little bit like coming home" and described priorities including continuing partnerships between the district and the city. Thomas said many disciplinary issues at young ages stem from limited socialization and that early relationships with adults can reduce later behavioral problems.
On questions about school resource officers (SROs), Thomas said neighboring states have moved to require SROs at all levels and that his experience supports having full-time officers in junior high and high school and additional coverage at elementary schools through shared arrangements. "I don't see our resource officers in our building as punitive. What I see is one more adult who is a good model citizen for these kids to look up to," Thomas said. Council members discussed shared funding and expressed tentative support for planning SRO coverage as part of budget talks.
