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School Resource
Officer
Deputy Gregory Sodaro |
The Franklin County Sheriff's Office, through a 3 year federal grant
provided by the U.S. Department of Justice - Office of Community Oriented
Policing Services, provides a specially trained School Resource Officer
(S.R.O.) for the purpose of providing assistance to Missisquoi Valley
Union High School's administrators and parents, instruction to the students,
investigation of criminal activity and dealing with other police matters
concerning the school or students. This is a proactive, rather than
reactive approach to addressing issues within the school.
The School Resource Officer program is organized jointly between
the Franklin County Sheriff's Office and the Missisquoi Valley Union
High School (MVUHS). The School Resource Officer is a full time Deputy
Sheriff and is answerable to the Franklin County Sheriff. Missisquoi
Valley Union High School, located in Highgate/Swanton, VT, is a grade
7-12 regional school that primarily services the towns of Swanton,
Highgate and Franklin. Students from other areas, such as Alburg and
Sheldon, are also afforded the opportunity to attend. MVUHS has a
total student population of approximately 1,100 and is currently
the only school in Franklin County with a full time School Resource
Officer. The Franklin County Sheriff's Office has assigned Deputy
Gregory J. Sodaro to the position of S.R.O. at MVUHS Monday through
Friday from 7:30-3:30.
The concept of a School Resource Officer may be defined within several
areas. The S.R.O. is visualized as a Police Officer, who by definition
has an obligation to serve, protect and uphold the law. In addition
to being an advisor, resource person and educational aid, it is felt
by police, students and educators alike that the School Resource Officer
should fulfill an important task as a resident contact person, advisor
and listener of youth with personal problems which they could bring
to the S.R.O. This role is not carried on in competition with the
authorized school guidance counselors, but will primarily focus on
those issues involving activities which are beyond the scope of the
school counselors traditional areas of expertise, i.e., those of a
criminal justice nature.
The School Resource Officer fulfills the role of a Law Enforcement
Officer by the investigation of crimes perpetrated by juveniles, against
juveniles, and against schools.
The S.R.O. also acts as a resource person to/for the students, his/her
family, the school and the community.
A third role is that of being a referral agent. The School Resource
Officer is intimately acquainted with the kinds of help that are available
on a local level to help young people and their families. A major
part of this function is to get people in contact with various outside
agencies that aid them in matters which are beyond the S.R.O.'s scope
to solve.
The S.R.O. serves an educational function by assisting in the presentation
of classes and courses designed to acquaint students and faculty with
the law, local jurisprudence and other areas of interest.
Should you have any questions, comments or concerns, please contact:
Deputy Gregory J. Sodaro
School Resource Officer
Missisquoi
Valley Union High School
100 Thunderbird Drive
Swanton, VT 05488
802-868-7311 x 150
e-mail:
sro@FranklinCountySheriff.net
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