North Kitsap School District has hired a school resource officer and will offer an SRO program at its schools through an agreement with the city of Poulsbo that runs through June of 2027, the school board approved at its Oct. 24 meeting.

The SRO is Justin Black from the Poulsbo Police Department, and he started on the first day of school. His main campuses will be North Kitsap High, Poulsbo Middle, Poulsbo Elementary and Vinland Elementary schools, as those are within city limits, but he can also assist the Kitsap County Sheriff’s SRO as requested at other schools, district representative Jenn Markaryan said.

The program will encourage more cooperation between police and youth, aid in reducing juvenile crime through counseling and teaching about the justice system, and provide other law enforcement and related services, per NKSD documents.

The SRO will work 32 hours a week, eight per day. The city selected the officer after consulting with the district. Factors included during the selection process were: conveying a positive police presence in school and community; positive resource for staff, students, parents and residents; and must have training or agree to attend required classes.

Job duties for the SRO includes: patrol NKSD campuses; act as a liaison between city and NKSD; wear official police uniform, including firearm; assist in providing security during school, etc. The SRO is prohibited from being involved in formal school discipline, documents state.

Regarding funding, NKSD agrees to pay a portion of the salary and benefits. For the 2024-25 school year, NKSD will pay $68,344. For the 2025-26 school year, the district will pay $71,762. And for the 2026-27 school year, it will pay $75,350.