Broadwater County approves budget amendment to add full‑time school resource officer

Broadwater County commissioners on Dec. 13 approved a budget amendment to add a full‑time deputy to serve as the county's school resource officer (SRO).

Sheriff Nick Rouseer told the commission the county last had an SRO in about 2005 and that the new position would be placed at the school full time during the academic year, help with traffic and campus safety, respond to criminal incidents near the school, and deliver educational presentations. “I spend probably almost every school day. I walk through the school every morning and talk to the kids,” Rouseer said, describing how a dedicated officer could strengthen relationships with students and staff.

Rouseer said the position would be funded by the county's public safety mill levy and estimated the prorated cost for the remainder of this fiscal year at about $49,100; the full cost will be added to next year's budget. He said the county would open the job internally first and preferred promoting an experienced deputy who already understands county procedures. If the deputy assigned to the school is moved from another position, the sheriff said he would hire a replacement for that patrol slot.

Commissioners asked whether the school would contribute to the position. Rouseer said the district has offered office space and would pursue grants to cover some educational programming and training costs but that the county would not rely on the district for core salary funding. He also confirmed the department has a reserve vehicle available until new vehicles on order arrive.

A commissioner moved to approve the public safety budget amendment for the SRO and the motion passed by voice vote.

The amendment adds one full‑time deputy to be based at the school with flexible summer patrol duties; the county will include the position in its next full budget and will annually review school‑county arrangements and any possible cost‑sharing. The sheriff said the county aims to have someone in place by mid‑January, pending hiring and the holiday schedule.