06/05/2026
Enhancing Safety at Every Hillsboro R-3 School
"Nothing is more important than the safety of our children and the staff members who care for them every day," said Dr. Jon Isaacson, Superintendent of Schools. "As a community, we have a responsibility to do everything within our power to provide a safe, secure, and supportive learning environment. This investment reflects our commitment to taking every reasonable step possible to protect our students and ensure our schools remain safe places where children can learn, grow, and succeed."
The Hillsboro R-3 Board of Education has approved a new School Safety Officer (SSO) Program that will place a dedicated School Safety Officer in every district attendance center beginning with the 2026-27 school year.
This initiative represents a significant investment in student and staff safety and is designed to strengthen campus security, emergency preparedness, visitor management, and daily school operations while maintaining the welcoming environment our families expect.
Under the new model:
✅ Every school will have a dedicated School Safety Officer assigned to its building.
✅ One officer will serve as the district's Director of School Safety, helping coordinate emergency planning, staff training, and district-wide safety initiatives.
✅ School Safety Officers will be highly trained professionals with backgrounds in law enforcement and public safety.
✅ The district will continue its partnership with the Hillsboro Police Department, with a dedicated School Resource Officer assigned to Hillsboro High School.
We know school safety is a topic that matters deeply to our families and community. This program is the result of careful planning and reflects our commitment to continually evaluating and strengthening the measures that help keep our students and staff safe.
As implementation begins, the district will first open the Director of School Safety position, with a planned start date of July 1. Additional School Safety Officer positions will be posted in late June or early July and are expected to begin in August as their work schedules align with the school year.
We will continue sharing updates as the program develops and appreciate the support and trust our community places in Hillsboro R-3 each day.
Link to news release: https://aptg.co/YLDBRJ
Link to story on our website: https://www.hsdr3.org/article/2967517
