STATE CENTER — The West Marshall Board of Education, at their regularly scheduled March 11 board meeting, voted unanimously to give a 30-day notice to the City of State Center to terminate the contract for the services of the School Resource Officer (SRO). The title is currently held by Joel Westendorf , who has held that position since the 2022-23 school year. His last day of service was Feb. 26, 2026.

Moving forward, the district intends to explore replacement options for the SRO position or non-equivalent options which would include:

Option 1: Consideration to no longer fill the position and continue with operations which would mean reverting back to previous protocol 2021-22 school year.

Option 2: District hires employee to work as a police liaison. Potential salary comes from grants, management funds or general fund. Salary range: $55,000-$85,000 part-time/full-time.

Option 3: Consider Campus Security Officers/Guards for event staffing up to full-time onsite coverage. Also noting the liability clause for non-ticketing officials, but rather training to carry a firearm, taser, etc. for public presence and event management. Salary would be hourly — $25.00 to $75.00 per hour range depending on the agency,

Option 4: Other local area partners such as the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department.

Option 5: District hire personnel — rewriting job descriptions as temporary needs, but not limited to ongoing needs.

Superintendent Jacy Large summarized by sharing that these are items currently under review to consider as to whether or not contract services are desired beyond that of local law enforcement. He noted that strictly from a financial aspect, it would be reasonable to consider no longer providing the structure outlined in the past City/School agreement.