School Resource Officer Safety & Traffic Management Act

Setting a Standard for Safer Schools

Families deserve the peace of mind that comes from knowing every school, public or private, meets the same high standard of safety. This proposal creates a consistent, statewide approach to school security, traffic management, and emergency readiness without placing new burdens on local taxpayers.

1. What This Bill Does

• Places a full‑time, trained School Resource Officer (SRO) in every public school
• Allows private schools to opt in voluntarily and receive full state support if they follow the same standards
• Scales staffing based on enrollment so larger schools receive additional coverage
• Requires active traffic monitoring at every school entrance and exit during drop‑off and pick‑up
• Establishes uniform statewide SRO training through the POST Board
• Fully funds the mandate at the state level so districts aren’t forced to raise local taxes

2. Why Minnesota Needs This

• Traffic congestion and unsafe crossings around schools are increasing
• Emergency response times vary dramatically across the state
• SRO coverage is inconsistent and often dependent on local budgets
• Students and staff deserve a uniform statewide safety standard
• Parents want reassurance that trained professionals are on site every day
• Private school families should have access to the same safety opportunities as public school families

3. How Funding Works 

The state provides predictable, stable funding to cover:

• SRO staffing for public schools and any private schools that opt in
• Statewide training and certification
• Traffic‑monitoring equipment and safety tools
• Additional support for rural and single‑site schools

This structure ensures no unfunded mandates, protects rural districts, and keeps local levies off the hook.

4. Leveraging Federal Support

The bill requires Minnesota to aggressively pursue federal programs that can offset state costs, including:

• Federal SRO staffing grants
• School safety and violence‑prevention programs
• Safety equipment and communication systems
• Traffic‑control and emergency‑response resources

By prioritizing federal dollars first, the state reduces long‑term costs and builds a sustainable funding model.

5. What This Means for Families

• Safer school entrances and exits
• Faster, more reliable emergency response
• Trained professionals on site every day
• More support for students experiencing crisis
• Peace of mind for parents, teachers, and staff
• Equal safety opportunities for public and private school families

6. What This Means for Districts & Private Schools

• Predictable, stable state funding
• Flexibility to hire full‑time or overlapping part‑time SROs
• No pressure on local levies
• Clear statewide standards
• Support for training, equipment, and traffic management
• Private schools can participate voluntarily without sacrificing autonomy

This bill is about protecting our kids, supporting our educators, and giving families confidence that Minnesota schools are safe. Safety shouldn’t depend on a ZIP code or a local budget. This will set a statewide standard so that every child walks into a safe, well‑protected school every single day.