This week's school shooting in Wisconsin has once again moved the discussion of school security to the forefront. While the debate over gun laws continues, another argument is being made about how to keep children safe in schools: Adding additional school resource officers.

One school in upstate New York is asking the federal government to pitch in to help make that happen.

Wappingers Central School District Superintendent Dwight Bonk wants to have school resource officers, or SROs, in all 15 of his district’s buildings. He thinks it’s the best change schools can implement to protect students against acts of violence. 

“We need safe schools," he said. "We're doing some things that are productive. But again, we need to do more. And I say that not only as a school superintendent, but also as a parent.” 

But the cost to do so would be prohibitive for even the state’s ninth-largest school district, from $1.5 million to more than $3 million. 

Bonk wants more federal resources to be made available to schools to hire SROs, and wrote a letter to Congress asking for immediate action.

“How do we work together to provide safe schools? In my opinion, this is a much-needed response to the actions that we have seen," Bonk said. "Again, 83 school shootings throughout our nation since the beginning of 2024. Absolutely unacceptable. We need to do more.” 

Bonk said getting more SROs in schools will be a priority in the next school budget, but he’s concerned that spending more there could lead to cuts in some services and programs.

If necessary, he said he would make those cuts, making federal aid even more important. 

“Because without school safety and a safe school environment, those programs and services are not going to be as effective as they possibly can be," he said. "So I am pleading, I am asking for federal assistance.”