MUSD will place School Safety Officers at 10 additional schools starting in 2026-27, bringing dedicated police presence to 16 of 19 campuses.
Marana Unified School District (MUSD) is expanding its School Safety Officer (SSO) program to 10 additional schools, thanks to a $2.4 million grant from the Arizona Department of Education (ADE). Beginning with the 2026-27 school year, 16 of 19 MUSD K-12 schools will have a dedicated police presence on campus.
The grant builds on a partnership of more than 10 years with the Town of Marana, the Marana Police Department (MPD), and the Pima County Sheriff’s Department. Over that time, the ADE School Safety Program has provided over $5 million for school resource officers (SROs), counselors, and social workers.
Which schools are getting officers?
For the 2026-27 year, the program will place SSOs at campuses that have not previously had a law enforcement presence. These positions are funded for one year unless noted:
- Rattlesnake Ridge Elementary School
- Roadrunner Elementary School (3-year funding)
The grant also provides three years of funding for SSOs at Twin Peaks K-8 and Dove Mountain CSTEM K-8, continuing their existing police presence.
In addition, the grant continues to support SROs at Marana High, Marana Middle, Tortolita Middle, and Mountain View High School, as well as school counselors at Estes Elementary, Gladden Farms Elementary, Picture Rocks Elementary, and Mountain View High School.
How SSOs differ from SROs
Across Arizona, there is a shortage of officers available for full-time SRO assignments. ADE created the SSO model through Off Duty Management (ODM) to allow certified Arizona police officers to serve schools during the instructional day. While SROs and SSOs both provide a police presence, SROs are assigned to the same school every day, whereas SSOs may rotate based on officer availability.
Teachers describe SSOs and SROs as trusted mentors who work alongside administrators and staff to support student success. They build positive relationships with students and families while providing education on internet safety, bullying prevention, conflict resolution, substance abuse prevention, and responsible decision-making.
District and school officials weigh in
“Our district has a strong reputation of working collaboratively with local law enforcement and the Town of Marana to ensure the safety of our students and staff. This is another effort that will significantly enhance our efforts,” said Josh Bayne, Executive Director of Educational Services.
Nikki Simpson, Associate Principal at Twin Peaks K-8, said, “SSOs have been an integral part of our school team. They not only provide an additional layer of safety on our campus, but they are also a friendly adult who connects with our students, and supports staff during busy times including drop-off, pick-up, recess, and lunch. Officers regularly speak and connect with many students, with the ability to also helpfully guide them through tougher life situations.”
Bayne added that the investment strengthens MUSD’s commitment to creating welcoming campuses where every student feels safe, supported, and ready to learn. “The ADE School Safety Program grant will substantially increase the presence of law enforcement on MUSD campuses and is a great step toward full coverage of all campuses.”
What this means for families
Parents and students can expect to see more uniformed officers on campus during the school day starting in the 2026-27 year. The district emphasizes that these officers are there to support safety and build positive relationships, not to disrupt the learning environment.
For more information about the program, contact Marana Unified School District at (520) 682-4700 or visit their website.