The Phoenix Union High School District is bringing back police in a big way. The governing board voted Thursday to accept state funding that will put 15 full-time school resource officers on campuses next school year, more than tripling the number of dedicated officers currently in place and signaling a sharp shift from its earlier stance on police in schools.
Board Vote And What Changes
At its June 4 meeting, the board approved grants from the state’s School Safety Program that will pay for 15 full-time SRO positions across district campuses. According to KJZZ, Phoenix Union currently has four SROs and two school safety officers on campus, so the new money will more than triple the number of full-time officers starting next school year.
The expansion caps a steady reversal in policy. The district chose not to renew its annual agreement with the City of Phoenix in 2020, effectively phasing officers out of schools, and only began cautiously bringing a small number back in 2023.
How State Money Steers Spending
The new hires are being bankrolled through the Arizona Department of Education’s School Safety Program and the federally funded Stronger Connections grant, which gave competitive priority to SRO and SSO positions. As outlined by the Arizona Department of Education, Stronger Connections dollars are limited to certified SROs or equivalent SSOs, come with required training resources, and are set to support positions through the 2025–26 school year under the current grant timeline.
In other words, the money is generous but not permanent, and it is tightly aimed at law enforcement-style roles rather than broader student support services.
Public Comment Divided
The meeting drew a packed crowd, and the public comment period made clear that the community is anything but unified on the move. Many students and community members lined up to urge the board to say no…