Minnewaska Area Schools (MAS) and the Pope County Sheriff’s Department officially partnered recently for the return of the School Resource Officer (SRO) position.

Passed in unanimous votes by both the Minnewaska Area Schools Board and the Pope County Board of Commissioners, the SRO position will bring enhanced safety and security and strengthen the county-school relationships for the benefit of all District families, students, staff and county residents, according to MAS  Supt. Chip Rankin.

The SRO, Eric Thesing, will work a flexible schedule during the school year months and hold many duties for the district. This will include executing school safety plans, presenting safety information to students and families, and law enforcement action as needed. The SRO will not be a school disciplinarian, but will assist in fostering relationships with students, their families, and agency resources.

“We look forward to returning this important safety position to our school district and to our district families. The SRO position was a valuable addition to our District. We appreciate Pope County’s support in making a difference for our students and families through this partnership,” Rankin stated.  

“We are thrilled to help provide this extra layer of security and prevention to the school district. The county is dedicated to working arm in arm with our partners in the school district to create the best environment possible for safe, high-quality education for our students,” said Pope County Administrator Kersten Kappmeyer.

“The addition of a full-time School Resource Officer into our public school immensely increases the physical security and safety for both the students and staff,” Rankin said. “I’m very pleased, and I’m grateful the county and Minnewaska Area Schools were able to work together to find the funding to bring this position back into our schools making safety a top priority.”