A Bothell school resource officer program that has served the high school for over 30 years faces elimination as the Northshore School Board prepares to vote Monday.
BOTHELL, Wash. — The future of a police program that has placed an officer at Bothell High School for more than 30 years is in doubt as the Northshore School Board prepares to vote on whether to eliminate the position.
Over the past few years, board support for the school resource officer, or SRO, has waned. Parents who support the program worry there may not be enough votes to keep it, despite what they describe as widespread community backing.
When the SRO arrives on campus each day, parents like Stephanie Corrigan say they feel a sense of security.
“If there was ever anything horrific like a shooting, he is specifically trained to work with youth and to run into a situation like that,” Corrigan said.
Corrigan said she is frustrated that some board members appear unmoved by community support for the program.
“They are just voting from their own personal beliefs and agendas. They are not listening to the majority voice of the people they represent,” she said.
A Bothell police officer has been part of campus life for more than 30 years — before school shootings became a regular occurrence across the country. But those incidents are among the least likely events the SRO will be called upon to handle.
“We’ve learned of sexual assaults in dating relationships among young teens. Some students are involved in abusive relationships. There is abuse at home. Because of the relationship our SRO has with these students, a lot of these victims will get justice,” said Capt. Mike Johnson of the Bothell Police Department.
By law, the Northshore School Board must annually review the SRO agreement. Last year, two members voted to eliminate the position for the first time. Supporters of the program fear losing the slim 3-2 majority with new board members now seated, despite a recent school survey showing “strong support” for the SRO.
“We don’t have a program that people don’t want. We have a program that people want to keep,” said Crystal Rediske, a Bothell High School teacher. “He supports all of our work. It would be a big loss.”
Opponents argue that an armed officer on campus makes some students feel unsafe. They point to what critics call the “school-to-prison pipeline,” where students end up arrested for incidents that could otherwise be handled by counselors.
But police say that is not the situation in Bothell.
“Our goal is to divert through a sort of restorative justice atmosphere and give kids that second chance,” Johnson said. “While there may be a need to enforce a law, that is not the primary function. He helps steer kids away from the criminal justice system.”
Board members who previously voted against the SRO program did not respond to KING 5’s requests for comment.
A vote is expected at next Monday’s board meeting at 4:30 p.m. The public is invited to comment.
To ensure diverse coverage and expert insight across a wide range of topics, our publication features contributions from multiple staff writers with varied areas of expertise.
