Neosho schools say kids are safer with Newton County Sheriff's Office partnership

The Neosho School District has replaced its school-run police department with four school resource officers from the Newton County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff Matt Stewart told Newstalk KZRG that the district approached his office near the end of the previous school year about forming a partnership.

The agencies worked through the summer to establish the program for the new school year.

Each deputy is assigned a primary campus but will also visit other buildings throughout the district.

“Our primary goal and responsibility is to keep our students and our staff safe during the school year,” Stewart said. “But also take this opportunity to really build those relationships with our youth in our community.”

Stewart said the district operated its own police department for several years before deciding to try a different approach.

“They wanted to try something a little bit different and give that law enforcement aspect of their school to a law enforcement agency,” Stewart said. “That way, they could just focus on the school aspect of things.”