July 25, 2023 9:20 a.m.

Roseburg School District is partnering with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office to hire two school resource deputies to provide additional safety and security coverage for the 2023-24 school year.

A District release said the Roseburg School Board unanimously approved funding for the positions at its July 19th meeting. The deputies will be assigned to Green, Sunnyslope, Melrose and Winchester Elementary schools, but will have a presence at all district schools. They will also add anti-drug curriculum and other safety services.

The district already contracts with the Roseburg Police Department for one school resource officer. The SRO and the two SRD’s will work closely with the district’s three-member security team to provide more comprehensive safety services.

Superintendent Jared Cordon said, “The health and safety of our students and staff remain our top priority”. Cordon said, “We are grateful for our law enforcement partners and their willingness to provide these important services throughout our district”.

Sheriff John Hanlin said, “The Sheriff’s Office is honored to be a partner with the Roseburg School District in ensuring the safety of our schools and the mentoring of our students on things such as drug prevention and safety programs”.

The release said in the coming weeks, the sheriff’s office will be working closely with the school district to prepare for the upcoming school year.