EDUCATION

School Resource Officers discuss school issues

School Resource Officers working in five Livingston County School Districts met Jan. 25 to discuss a variety of issues facing students and school districts in the area.

Livingston County Sheriff’s Deputy Josh Monster coordinates the SRO group that meets about once a month. He’s been with the LCSD for eight years; four at Livonia Central School as the School Resource Officer.

The meeting agenda typically includes discussion of current trends in schools, the rapid emergence of designer drugs such as bath salts, the types of issues occurring among students, sharing of ideas and notification of various training available.

The group tours the layout of the school they are meeting at, becoming familiar with it, learning the hot spots where bullying occurs and reviewing each district’s emergency and security plans.

Monster is responsible for overseeing each district’s emergency plan and ensuring that the School Resource Office is familiar with the district’s current plan.

School Resource Officers are present in local schools for at least a portion of the day; some spend a full day in their district. They canvas parking lots, are present during arrival and dismissal times, they are in the halls during class changing times and often speak on related issues in the classroom. They also assist school administrators and counselors with student discipline issues and are available to students who need assistance with peer conflicts or to report something to law enforcement.

In addition to Monster, other School Resource Officers include Sheriff’s Deputy Alan Didas at Keshequa Central School, Deputy Rebecca Kane at York, Mount Morris police Department Officer Richard Garwood at Mount Morris, and Caledonia Police Officer Todd Estabrooks at Caledonia-Mumford.