C-R delays decisions on SRO

3/23/2023

By Jim Poole

Cobleskill-Richmonndville won’t be adding a school resource officer anytime soon, or maybe ever.
Superintendent Matt Sickles told school board members Monday night that C-R should set up committees to continue studying whether an SRO should be at the high school.
The move towards committees comes two months after Schoharie County Undersheriff Bruce Baker presented information on SROs to the board.
SROs are intended to improve safety and build relationships between students and law enforcement. Schoharie Central successfully added an SRO from the Sheriff’s Office this school year.
Board members had a back-and-forth discussion in February, with some arguing that an officer with a gun would increase the risk of a shooting, and others pointing to school districts were the SRO experience has been positive.
Board members want more information, Mr. Sickles said Monday night.
“It’s an education process, and we’ll be forming committees of stakeholders to get balanced views,” Mr. Sickles said.
There will be several committees, and board member Susan Strasser said that instead of appointing committee members, C-R should ask for people who want to serve.
“Make it an open call so that anyone can participate who wants to,” Dr. Strasser said.
An SRO won’t be in the 2023-24 school budget.
“It could be in the 2024-25 budget or beyond,” Mr. Sickles said.