To promote safe learning environments and strengthen community ties, an additional School Resource Officer (SRO) dedicated to elementary schools in Leduc is starting this fall.

This enhanced support for student safety and youth development is the result of a partnership between the City of Leduc, Black Gold School Division (BGSD) and St. Thomas Aquinas Roman Catholic Separate School Division (STAR Catholic).

“Creating safe environments for students and fostering positive relationships with youth are key investments to the future of our community,” said City of Leduc Mayor Bob Young. “Our school resource officers play an important role in helping to develop responsible, respectful and productive young citizens, and we believe enhancing this service will help our whole community thrive.”

Funding for the new position, including salary, equipment and benefits, totals $110,000 a year and will be cost-shared by the City ($55,000), BGSD ($35,000), and STAR Catholic ($20,000) each year for the next three years.

“The City of Leduc is a valued partner in the overall safety and well-being of our school communities, and it is crucial that we work together with them and STAR Catholic, our sister board, to ensure the wellbeing and positive development of students in our elementary schools,” said BGSD Board Chair Esther Eckert. “We want to thank the City for allocating one of their community peace officers for this three-year partnership to provide our students with important safety presentations and opportunities to build positive relationships with law enforcement.”

“STAR Catholic School Division is truly blessed to have such positive and mutually beneficial relationships with our community partners and sister school boards,” said Board Chair Donna Tugwood. “By working together collaboratively to maximize supports and resources we meet the needs and best interests of all our deserving students and families with efficiency and effectiveness. We are grateful for this partnership and look forward to our continued work together in the years to come.”

For the past several years, an RCMP member has served as an SRO. This new position, filled by a Community Peace Officer (CPO), will allow the RCMP SRO to spend more time working with junior and senior high students and dedicate time to Violent Threat Risk Assessment protocols.

The CPO SRO will cultivate safe spaces and positive relationships with elementary students through informal school visits and walkthroughs, and interactions with students during recess and lunch breaks. They will mentor students one-on-one, provide class presentations on safety topics, participate in field trips and sporting events, meet with staff and parents, and involve themselves in general school activities.

“I look forward to getting to know Leduc’s elementary students and families and supporting them through their early education journey,” said CPO Bradley Agotnes, the new SRO. “My goal is to help create a fun, safe space where all students are able to succeed.”