Community urges school board to hire trained resource officer for Elkhart High School
March 22, 2025 | ELKO COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT, School Districts, Nevada
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During the recent Elko County School District (ECSD) Board Meeting held on March 18, 2025, significant concerns regarding student safety and law enforcement presence in schools were raised by community member Kathy Gibson. Her presentation highlighted urgent issues at the Hawaii My School, located within the Elko High School District, where she reported alarming incidents of bullying, fighting, and intimidation of students by law enforcement.
Gibson emphasized the need for a certified and trained school resource officer (SRO) who can engage with students in a supportive manner. She criticized the current presence of a Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) police officer, citing reports of intimidation tactics used during questioning, which she argued could undermine the safety and well-being of students. Gibson pointed out that the BIA police are not formally recognized as law enforcement within the school system, raising concerns about their authority and approach.
To address these issues, Gibson urged the board to consider several actions, including the immediate placement of a certified SRO trained to handle school-related incidents. She also called for policy adjustments to formalize the role of law enforcement in schools, ensuring that officers operate under appropriate guidelines and that parental rights are respected during any interactions with students.
The discussion reflects broader concerns within the community about the safety of students and the effectiveness of law enforcement in educational settings. As the only school located within the reservation boundaries of the district, the Hawaii My School faces unique challenges that necessitate a tailored approach to student safety and law enforcement engagement.
The board's response to these concerns and any subsequent actions will be closely watched by the community, as they seek to ensure a safe and supportive environment for all students. The meeting underscored the importance of addressing these urgent safety issues and the need for collaboration between the school district and law enforcement agencies.
Gibson emphasized the need for a certified and trained school resource officer (SRO) who can engage with students in a supportive manner. She criticized the current presence of a Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) police officer, citing reports of intimidation tactics used during questioning, which she argued could undermine the safety and well-being of students. Gibson pointed out that the BIA police are not formally recognized as law enforcement within the school system, raising concerns about their authority and approach.
To address these issues, Gibson urged the board to consider several actions, including the immediate placement of a certified SRO trained to handle school-related incidents. She also called for policy adjustments to formalize the role of law enforcement in schools, ensuring that officers operate under appropriate guidelines and that parental rights are respected during any interactions with students.
The discussion reflects broader concerns within the community about the safety of students and the effectiveness of law enforcement in educational settings. As the only school located within the reservation boundaries of the district, the Hawaii My School faces unique challenges that necessitate a tailored approach to student safety and law enforcement engagement.
The board's response to these concerns and any subsequent actions will be closely watched by the community, as they seek to ensure a safe and supportive environment for all students. The meeting underscored the importance of addressing these urgent safety issues and the need for collaboration between the school district and law enforcement agencies.
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