The good blues of a first day

This year, Aug. 30, is the first day of school for School District 2. 

The first day of school is an important and sometimes hectic day for many families. Parents take photos of kids in front of their school signs, kids run to meet up with friends they may not have seen over the summer season. To the majority of parents and kids the first day of school is a fun and busy day. To some, especially those starting school for the first time or beginning a year at a new school the day can cause some apprehension.

While appearing on Sheridan Media’s Public Pulse program, Chief of the Sheridan Police Department, Travis Koltiska and Captain Tom Ringley reassured parents that there will be a PD presence at schools. This presence will continue throughout the school year with the stationed School Resource Officers (SRO). 

According to Ringley, SROs serve as a SPD liaison to the Sheridan County School District community. SROs will work closely with school and district administrators to ensure school safety. Officer Ben Hawkins is the School Resource Officer based primarily in the high school. Officer Rodney Swaney is based in Sheridan Junior High School.

According to Ringley, the ultimate goal is to increase patrol officers to the point that a third SRO can be assigned the duty of serving up at Sheridan College on a permanent basis. This will offer not only a full time police presence but develop relationships with all students and opportunities for those studying criminal law or other law enforcement related majors. 

An added police presence will be seen on Sheridan roads within school zones. Koltiska told listeners that he will be in uniform visiting schools and welcoming students back on the first day. 

Koltiska also reminded the public, there is no section of road in Sheridan County that permits the passing of a school bus when they have their lights or stop signs deployed.