North Royalton City Council again approved legislation that would add another School Resource Officer (SRO) to the complement of the North Royalton Police Department. This will be the second time within a year that SRO positions have been added. Last December, Council approved the addition of a part-time SRO to the complement.
School Resource Officers are police officers who work in the district, along with school administrators, faculty and security staff members in an effort to ensure that schools are safe places for students. According to that legislation,“The School Resource Officer Program (SRO Program) is designed to clarify roles and expectations between the participating entities to foster an efficient and cohesive program that will build a positive relationship between police officers, school staff and students, promote a safe and positive learning environment and decrease the number of students referred to the juvenile justice system.” It goes on to say that, “The mission of the SRO Program is to promote school safety by building a positive school climate in which everyone feels safe and students are supported to.”
Currently, Officer Alexandra Jezior is the full-time SRO at the High School and Officer Jon Karl serves the Middle School. The new position will be stationed at the Elementary school.
“I am excited to announce that the Board approved an agreement for a third School Resource Officer in our District,” stated North Royalton School Superintendent Mike Laub. “We have been working with the City of North Royalton over the past few months and have finalized an agreement that will provide this additional officer by February. We are excited to have an officer in each of our buildings! Thank you to the City for your partnership in keeping our schools safe.”
North Royalton Police Chief Keith Tarase stated that the new SRO has not yet been named, but will be someone from within. An additional hire will be necessary to replace that person. The training process includes a mandatory forty-hour SRO course. There will then be additional training on top of that, as the new SRO moves forward. The cost of the position will be split equally between the City and the School District for not only this position, but all three positions.
The full-time SROs will have complete SRO duties during the school year. In the summer and after safety town is done, they will be utilized with other police duties. Tarase said that the SROs are assigned to the Detective Bureau and also assist patrol.
The SRO position started in the North Royalton Schools in 2002 when a Federal Cops in Schools grant to fund the position was procured. Since that time, there had been one SRO for the district, until January of this year, when the part-time SRO was added. Tarase said that although the schools had only one SRO for many years, the School District had never asked for any additional. He said when Mike Laub became District Superintendent, discussions took place and Laub indicated he would like added positions. Tarase said that most school districts in the area have an officer in each building.
“With this addition, we now have a resource officer for each of our buildings,” stated North Royalton School Board President, John Kelly. “As a District we have done, and continue to do many things to enhance safety and security in our buildings. Most of the time the enhancements and improvements we make are not outwardly visible. That is intentional as we do not advertise our safety and security plans. This improvement, however, is something that the community will see. I want to commend Mr. Laub, Mayor Antoskiewicz and Police Chief Tarase for working through the process and getting this done. This is an important additional step that will make kids just a little bit safer.”
Tarase is currently in the selection process for the position. He hopes to have the candidate named sometime this month.

By GLORIA PLEVA KACIK
Contributing Writer