Lemont-Bromberek District 113 To Add School Resource Officer In Fall

LEMONT, IL — The Lemont-Bromberek Combined School District 113 will have a dedicated school officer next year after the Board of Education and the Village of Lemont reached an agreement on the position this week.

The addition of a school resource officer was part of the 2018 district strategic plan and was also one of the goals of the successful April 2021 referendum, district officials said on Wednesday.

The exact start date for the new resource officer is yet to be determined, but the school district and police department are hopeful the officer can be in place in August for the start of school, officials said in a news release.

The Lemont Police Department must go through a process of selecting an additional officer for service, which the department can take some time.

“We have a great working relationship with our local police, and this is just another step in strengthening that relationship,” District 113 Superintendent Anthony McConnell said. “Our hope is that the addition of a school resource officer not only adds another level of safety to our schools but that the officer can also be a valuable educational resource for our students and families as well."

Board officials agreed that the resource officer will bring an added value to the school environment that goes beyond just safety.

“It is a dynamic role that enhances and compliments our current safety program both in and out of the classroom,” Board President Damon Ascolani said. “We have been discussing this for several years now and are excited to be able to make the addition of a school resource officer a reality for our school community.”