Goodyear approves school resource officer agreements

By Kelly O’Sullivan
Twitter: @AzNewsmedia

The Goodyear City Council voted Monday, Aug. 24, to approve agreements with Agua Fria Union High School District to provide school resource officers for Desert Edge and Millenium high schools during the 2021 academic year.

Under the agreements, the city and school district will split the cost of each resource officer’s hourly pay rate and benefits equally for the 10-month academic year, with the city covering 100% during officers’ vacations, school breaks and holidays, when the officers will perform city-related duties.

The district will cover 100% of overtime costs for school-related investigations, provide officers a workspace on campus and pay $500 for each officer to receive and maintain certification through the National Association of School Resources.

Goodyear Police Department Public Information Officer Lisa Berry introduced both officers on GPD’s Facebook page, providing a brief bio and photo of each.

Officer Nick Roberts, assigned to Desert Edge High School, 15778 W. Yuma Road, has worked as an school resource officer for 3 1/2 years, Ms. Berry wrote.

“He says his favorite thing about his assignment is watching the kids grow and mature through the years,” she wrote.

Mr. Roberts asked her to share his favorite quote from President Thomas Jefferson with students and their families: “I find that the harder I work, the more luck I seem to have.”

Officer Josh Olson, assigned to Millenium High School, 14802 W, Wigwam Blvd., is beginning his second year as an school resource officer.

“His favorite thing about being a school resource officer is the interaction with students and staff and being another resource for the youth in our schools,” Ms. Berry wrote. “His favorite quote that he wants to share with students is, ‘However difficult life may seem, there is always something you can do and succeed at!’”

Kelly O’Sullivan can be reached at kosullivan@newszap.com or 760-963-1697.