School resource officer will depart position for promotion
By Bruce Rolfe
A popular student resource officer in both the Climax-Scotts and Galesburg-Augusta School District is calling a promotion he received as a sergeant that will mean he can no longer serve in his current position bitter-sweet.
Students, staff and school board members in both the Climax-Scotts and Galesburg-Augusta School Districts recently learned Student Resource Officer Deputy Matt Murphy will be leaving his position soon, after he accepted a promotion as a sergeant with the Kalamazoo County Sheriff Department.
The new role as sergeant means Murphy can no longer serve in his current position as student resource officer in both school districts.
Murphy informed both school boards about his promotion at their respective school board meetings December 16. He also sent an email to all staff and students in both districts, alerting them of his promotion and that he will be leaving the position soon.
His promotion to a sergeant takes effect January 1, 2025.
He is uncertain when his role as School Resource Officer in both school districts will end, however he said interviews for the new SRO with administrators in both school districts were scheduled to start December 17. He expected to know who the new SRO in both school districts is some time early during the week of December 22.
Murphy will assist in the transition period with the new SRO.
Currently in his second school year serving in the SRO role in both local school districts, Murphy said he has enjoyed his time in the position.
“This has been the most rewarding position that I have done so far in my career. I really can’t think of any position that has more of an impact on our future community members, our future leaders.
It’s been a great opportunity to make relationships with students at a young age and change maybe their mindset of the police and hopefully mold them into better law abiding citizens as they
continue to age and get through their school days. On a personal level, it’s been a lot of fun,” said Murphy, who has been a full time deputy with the Kalamazoo County Sheriff Department for eight years.
Murphy calls the change that is about to occur in his life bitter-sweet.
He said he tested for the sergeant position in February, 2023 before he accepted the student resource officer position at both local school districts. Since that time he has turned down a promotion twice.
“This time my bosses are like, do you want this or not? I do, but bitter-sweet sums it up,” said Murphy.
Murphy said he should have a period of one to two weeks to train another deputy for the student resource officer position in both school districts. He hopes to spend some time in both school districts after the Christmas break before he leaves the role to officially begin his new position.
The popular student resource officer said the promotion to a sergeant is an important step in his career and for his family.
“Change is often difficult, but when opportunity calls, sometimes you have to answer. This was a difficult decision to make. So far I’m excited. Thinking long term for my career, now is the best time to take this next step,” said Murphy.
Building relationships and trust with students has been an important part of his job. He feels that trust has led some students to confide in him when there have been challenges, leading to a positive outcome.
“I’ve had a lot of students come to me and tell me about, maybe some issues at home, or some issues with friends, or relationship problems, whatever the case may be,” said the departing student resource officer.
Murphy said his regular interaction with students and staff is what he will miss the most. He said even when students are in class he often finds himself interacting with them. He may wind up shooting baskets or playing volleyball with students. He said at C-S he hosted dodge ball activities almost daily.
“I will miss the day to day activities in the schools, both at G-A and C-S,” said Murphy.
“And the relationships that I built with staff, parents, community members, have meant a lot to me and that’s what I will miss the most,” continued the student resource officer.
The C-S and G-A School Districts shared the student resource officer cost last year and continue the arrangement this year through a state grant. C-S Superintendent of Schools Doug Newington said the C-S School District has a three-year agreement with the Kalamazoo County Sheriff Department. He said C-S’ cost last year was approximately $37,500. Murphy spends 40 percent of his time in the C-S School District and 60 percent in the G-A School District under the arrangement. The G-A School District said G-A’s share for 2023-24 was $56,227.
Both G-A Superintendent Dr. Lindsey Newton and an official from the C-S Superintendent’s office emphasized Murphy has been a very valuable addition in their respective school districts and will be missed.
“His level of expertise around safety, calm and caring demeanor and attention to detail are comforting and what all schools deserve. G-A is lucky to have Deputy Murphy. Not only does Deputy Murphy perform his role as school resource officer, but he is a part of the life and community of G-A. He knows and cares for our students. This is all too bitter-sweet. We certainly do not want Deputy Murphy to leave G-A but when you have the level of skill and leadership like he does, we are proud to support him. He will always be our ‘OG SRO (Original School Resource Officer),’” said Newton, who said she is proud that Murphy has received a promotion to Sergeant.
“We are excited and happy for Deputy Murphy as he embarks on his new role. Deputy Murphy has touched the hearts of our Panther family and will be greatly missed. His quiet and calm demeanor lent well to easy relationship and trust building with students and staff. Deputy Murphy always goes above and beyond to support and engage with students and families in a meaningful way. As a school resource officer his visible presence on school grounds, availability in emergency situations, mentorship with students, assistance with safety education and training, and connection to the community have been invaluable for our district. We wish him the very best and know he will continue to serve the community with significant impact. We look forward to his future visits to catch up with his Panther family,” said C-S Communications & Public Relations director, Heather Wechsler.
Murphy said he won’t be a stranger and plans to attend various activities in both school districts like athletic events and graduation.
He ended his announcement to both school districts with a quote from the author Richard Lawrence Belford - “It’s not goodbye, it’s see you later.”
A popular student resource officer in both the Climax-Scotts and Galesburg-Augusta School District is calling a promotion he received as a sergeant that will mean he can no longer serve in his current position bitter-sweet.
Students, staff and school board members in both the Climax-Scotts and Galesburg-Augusta School Districts recently learned Student Resource Officer Deputy Matt Murphy will be leaving his position soon, after he accepted a promotion as a sergeant with the Kalamazoo County Sheriff Department.
The new role as sergeant means Murphy can no longer serve in his current position as student resource officer in both school districts.
Murphy informed both school boards about his promotion at their respective school board meetings December 16. He also sent an email to all staff and students in both districts, alerting them of his promotion and that he will be leaving the position soon.
His promotion to a sergeant takes effect January 1, 2025.
He is uncertain when his role as School Resource Officer in both school districts will end, however he said interviews for the new SRO with administrators in both school districts were scheduled to start December 17. He expected to know who the new SRO in both school districts is some time early during the week of December 22.
Murphy will assist in the transition period with the new SRO.
Currently in his second school year serving in the SRO role in both local school districts, Murphy said he has enjoyed his time in the position.
“This has been the most rewarding position that I have done so far in my career. I really can’t think of any position that has more of an impact on our future community members, our future leaders.
It’s been a great opportunity to make relationships with students at a young age and change maybe their mindset of the police and hopefully mold them into better law abiding citizens as they
continue to age and get through their school days. On a personal level, it’s been a lot of fun,” said Murphy, who has been a full time deputy with the Kalamazoo County Sheriff Department for eight years.
Murphy calls the change that is about to occur in his life bitter-sweet.
He said he tested for the sergeant position in February, 2023 before he accepted the student resource officer position at both local school districts. Since that time he has turned down a promotion twice.
“This time my bosses are like, do you want this or not? I do, but bitter-sweet sums it up,” said Murphy.
Murphy said he should have a period of one to two weeks to train another deputy for the student resource officer position in both school districts. He hopes to spend some time in both school districts after the Christmas break before he leaves the role to officially begin his new position.
The popular student resource officer said the promotion to a sergeant is an important step in his career and for his family.
“Change is often difficult, but when opportunity calls, sometimes you have to answer. This was a difficult decision to make. So far I’m excited. Thinking long term for my career, now is the best time to take this next step,” said Murphy.
Building relationships and trust with students has been an important part of his job. He feels that trust has led some students to confide in him when there have been challenges, leading to a positive outcome.
“I’ve had a lot of students come to me and tell me about, maybe some issues at home, or some issues with friends, or relationship problems, whatever the case may be,” said the departing student resource officer.
Murphy said his regular interaction with students and staff is what he will miss the most. He said even when students are in class he often finds himself interacting with them. He may wind up shooting baskets or playing volleyball with students. He said at C-S he hosted dodge ball activities almost daily.
“I will miss the day to day activities in the schools, both at G-A and C-S,” said Murphy.
“And the relationships that I built with staff, parents, community members, have meant a lot to me and that’s what I will miss the most,” continued the student resource officer.
The C-S and G-A School Districts shared the student resource officer cost last year and continue the arrangement this year through a state grant. C-S Superintendent of Schools Doug Newington said the C-S School District has a three-year agreement with the Kalamazoo County Sheriff Department. He said C-S’ cost last year was approximately $37,500. Murphy spends 40 percent of his time in the C-S School District and 60 percent in the G-A School District under the arrangement. The G-A School District said G-A’s share for 2023-24 was $56,227.
Both G-A Superintendent Dr. Lindsey Newton and an official from the C-S Superintendent’s office emphasized Murphy has been a very valuable addition in their respective school districts and will be missed.
“His level of expertise around safety, calm and caring demeanor and attention to detail are comforting and what all schools deserve. G-A is lucky to have Deputy Murphy. Not only does Deputy Murphy perform his role as school resource officer, but he is a part of the life and community of G-A. He knows and cares for our students. This is all too bitter-sweet. We certainly do not want Deputy Murphy to leave G-A but when you have the level of skill and leadership like he does, we are proud to support him. He will always be our ‘OG SRO (Original School Resource Officer),’” said Newton, who said she is proud that Murphy has received a promotion to Sergeant.
“We are excited and happy for Deputy Murphy as he embarks on his new role. Deputy Murphy has touched the hearts of our Panther family and will be greatly missed. His quiet and calm demeanor lent well to easy relationship and trust building with students and staff. Deputy Murphy always goes above and beyond to support and engage with students and families in a meaningful way. As a school resource officer his visible presence on school grounds, availability in emergency situations, mentorship with students, assistance with safety education and training, and connection to the community have been invaluable for our district. We wish him the very best and know he will continue to serve the community with significant impact. We look forward to his future visits to catch up with his Panther family,” said C-S Communications & Public Relations director, Heather Wechsler.
Murphy said he won’t be a stranger and plans to attend various activities in both school districts like athletic events and graduation.
He ended his announcement to both school districts with a quote from the author Richard Lawrence Belford - “It’s not goodbye, it’s see you later.”
––––––––––––––––––––
Subscribe to the Legal News!
http://legalnews.com/Home/Subscription
Full access to public notices, articles, columns, archives, statistics, calendar and more
Day Pass Only $4.95!
One-County $80/year
Three-County & Full Pass also available
