Bolivar R‑I adds school-protection officers and welcomes new SRO; board hears program update
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Summary
The board received updates on school safety staffing. The district introduced a newly hired School Resource Officer (SRO), Tyler Sammons, and described a graduated School Protection Officer (SPO) training program; staff said the SPO course is substantially longer than prior SRO training and that SPOs completed about 120 hours of instruction.
Bolivar R‑I board members received a school-safety update Aug. 21 that introduced a newly appointed School Resource Officer and summarized the district's expanding security staffing model, including School Protection Officers who completed an extended training regimen.
SRO Scott Hendrickson briefed the board and introduced new SRO Tyler Sammons. Hendrickson said Sammons "has been excellent to work with" and noted Sammons completed a one-week, 40-hour SRO course in Jefferson City and additional on-the-job orientation. Hendrickson said Sammons "is a self starter" who is integrating well with students and staff.
Hendrickson also described the district's School Protection Officer (SPO) program, saying the SPO training was "about a hundred and 20 hours" and that the program is "no joke." He said the district will pursue additional training and coordination between SROs and SPOs to improve school safety operations.
Nut graf: The district signaled a multi-layered safety approach: an experienced long-serving SRO paired with a new SRO hire and a cadre of SPOs who completed extended training designed to augment SRO coverage.
Board members asked when notices would be posted at school buildings to indicate the security presence; Hendrickson and others said signage is already posted at main and side entrances and is highly visible. The board thanked Hendrickson and Sammons for the work to make buildings secure as the new school year opened.
Ending: The board heard the safety update as part of a broader set of opening-of-year reports and thanked safety staff for their work preparing for students' return.