Glencoe Referendum Results: School Resource Officer

Glencoe voters turned down an advisory referendum from an independent organization called the Glencoe School Safety Project to privately fund a school resource officer pilot program at Central School in Glencoe School District 35 for the 2015-15 school year.

Results

No: 1,211 votes

Yes: 280 votes

Statement from Yes Safe Schools Glencoe:

Although the school safety referendum fell short of passing, Yes Safe Schools Glencoe is encouraged that many Glencoe residents strongly supported the initiative aimed at improving school safety and providing additional medical assistance for our children.

Yes Safe Schools Glencoe is proud that the community engaged in open and robust dialogue regarding this important issue. We look forward to working with the administration, Village and the entire community in ensuring a nurturing, comfortable and safe learning environment for our children.

Had the referendum been successful, the Glencoe School Safety Project intended to privately fund a medically-trained, first responder at no cost to the taxpayers.

The Glencoe School Safety project is not affiliated with nor endorsed by the Glencoe District 35 Board of Education, Glencoe Public Safety or the Village of Glencoe, according to information on the school district’s website.

• Glencoe Public Safety is located in close proximity to each of the district schools, allowing for rapid deployment of multiple officers in the event of an emergency.
• Glencoe Public Safety officers are currently in the District’s schools on a regular basis with no burden to the community’s existing law enforcement resources.
• Concerns by the committee that an armed officer in our schools would compromise the warm climate the district nurtures for our students.
• The opinion of the committee that alternative safety enhancements would better meet the identified security needs of all students, faculty and staff.
• The district already devotes significant resources to student and faculty’s social emotional well-being and physical wellness, including having a registered nurse at each school for medical emergencies.
• Glencoe Public Safety and District 35 have a relationship that includes continuous review and improvement of security plans and activities.