GILLETT, WI- The city of Gillett and the Gillett School Board have reached an agreement to launch a six-month pilot program to station a full-time school resource officer (SRO) at the district’s schools. The program begins Jan. 2, 2025, when students return from their holiday break.
The Gillett School Board unanimously approved the contract during a closed-session meeting on Dec. 19, with board member Nanette Mohr abstaining due to her role on the Gillett City Council. The council gave its approval during a special meeting the following day.
The school board allocated $80,000 in its 2024-25 budget to cover 75% of the SRO’s salary and benefits, with the city contributing the remaining $26,000.
Initially, the district planned to contract with the Oconto County Sheriff’s Department for the position, but delays in finalizing the agreement prevented its inclusion in the county’s 2025 budget. An alternative plan was proposed in October by Sheriff Todd Skarban, Mayor Jonathan Blaskowski, and Hanson.
Under the pilot program, the Gillett Police Department will reassign one of its three officers to the schools, while sheriff’s deputies will cover night and weekend shifts to ensure community policing needs are met.
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