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STANFORD – There is now a designated School Resource Officer in each of the seven Lincoln County Public Schools.

A year ago the Lincoln County Board of Education voted to add three more SROs to the contract with the Stanford Police Department (SPD), bringing the total to seven officers. Now that contract has been filled for all Lincoln County schools.

SPD Police Chief Zach Middleton told Stanford City Council members this month that certified Officer Jason Phillips has been hired and will be located at Highland Elementary.

House Bill 63, passed by the Kentucky legislature in 2022, requires all campuses to have at least one school resource officer.

Since the passage of that bill, the number of SROs has continued to increase across the state.

“Over the past few years, we have worked closely with the school board to move towards the goal of having a dedicated SRO in each school,” Middleton said. “Last year, the board made the decision to move forward with the plan, marking a major step toward enhancing school safety.”

Middleton said it was a challenge because an SRO must be a certified officer which is hard to find, but also needs to be someone who fits the unique role of working in a school.

“It’s a special calling,” he said.

SPD was able to fill in the gaps over the last year with different officers from the department filling in but now the SRO program can be utilized to its full potential, he said.

“…the importance of having an officer who is able to build strong relationships with students and staff is an important part of the SRO program,” Middleton said. “Each school is unique, and having an officer who knows the students, teachers and the layout of the building is crucial to the success of the SRO program. Those officers are there to not only provide protection and security, but to be a resource to our district and we are glad to have everyone in place.”

The following SROs are now in place:

• Lincoln County High School – Officer Chase Marcum

• Lincoln County Middle School – Officer James Mayfield

• Stanford Elementary – Officer Ray Sayre

• Hustonville Elementary – Officer Jeff Peek

• Crab Orchard Elementary – Officer Eric Taylor

• Waynesburg Elementary – Officer Kyle Hester

• Highland Elementary – Officer Jason Phillips.

Superintendent Bruce Smith said thanks to the Stanford Police Department each school now has a dedicated officer to help ensure the safety of students and staff.

“Providing each school with an SRO not only increases security but it also helps with day to day operations in terms of safety, preparedness and awareness,” Smith said.

Smith said the district has daily communications with SROs from the building level to the district level.

“We have been very appreciative of the planning and coordination with SPD, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Kentucky State Police, local firefighters, our jailer, Lincoln County Emergency Management and other first responders in providing heightened security these past few days on our campuses and at events,” Smith said. “They all truly care about the safety of our community and it shows.”