Parent Teacher Magazine Union County Public Schools May/June 2017 | Page 17

SRO of the year known for connecting with students Don’t look for School Resource A lot of us graduated from the Officer (Monroe Police) Lt. David Union County Public Schools Evatt in the office at his school. system, so we have a vested He is much more likely to be interest.” interacting with students at Central Superintendent Dr. Andrew Academy of Technology and Arts. Houlihan commended the Union Evatt was named this year’s County Sheriff’s Office and the SRO of the Year on April 3rd. “I’m Monroe Police Department for the excited about being chosen,” he great working relationships they said. “I was very surprised. It was have with the school system. an amazing feeling to be honored “The relationship that we have with this out of all the SROs in and the partnership with you has Union County.” been very impressive for me,” he Evatt became a law enforcement said. “What you do, in terms of the officer in 2004. He became the SRO value you offer to the organization, at CATA in 2016. is tremendous.” CATA principal Kim Fisenne Houlihan said he realizes that said one of Evatt’s strengths is his the SRO’s number one job is networking ability with students. the safety and security of UCPS “He goes to theater events, students, but he is also very dance shows, band concerts and impressed with the relationships sporting events, so he is in touch the SROs develop with the staff and with kids all over the school,” students. UCPS Superintendent Dr. Andrew Houlihan, at left, awards School Fisenne said “He constantly engages Resource Officer (Monroe Police) Lt. David Evatt the 2017 SRO of “I’ve seen first-hand evidence with the students and the teachers. the year title. Alt right, is Monroe Police Chief Bryan Gilliard. of kids giving high fives and fist He knows every teacher in the bumps to their school’s SRO,” he school and he knows how to deal with the kids. He has only been said. “Having those types of relationships is tremendous. That’s the here for about a year, but he has just come on board and done a type of work you want to see all across the school system.” fantastic job of becoming a part of the culture of Central Academy.” Houlihan thanked all the SROs present for their contributions. “I Monroe Police Lt. Davey Plyler said the fact that Evatt frequently want to say thank you on behalf of our kids and employees because talks to students is what makes him such a strong SRO. what you do for our school system every day is making a tremendous “As a school resource officer, interaction with kids is one of the difference. I want you to know how much we appreciate it.” biggest functions of your job,” Plyler said. “He not only works well The SRO of the Year recognition began in 2012 to honor the law with kids, he also works well with administrators, teachers and the enforcement officers who work with the school system. parents.” The winner is chosen based on points accumulated through a Evatt said the reason he became an SRO was to protect teachers credentialing process and interviews. There are two different panels and students. “I do it for the children and the teachers. I want them of judges who are part of the process. to have a safe place to come to school and learn; a safe place to get The selection process narrowed the number of nominees this year an education. I want the teachers to feel safe when they come to down to three: Evatt, and Union County Sheriff’s Deputies Christy teach. I also want parents to know that their children are being well Baucom and Pam Cole. taken care of while they’re at school.” Evatt will now be nominated as the Union County candidate for Monroe Police Chief Bryan Gilliard thanked the school system for the 2017 North Carolina School Resource Officer of the Year. its role in working with all law enforcement agencies. —This article was provided by the Union County Public Schools “All the SROs have a vested interest in the school system,” Communications Office. Gilliard said. “You don’t see that anywhere else in the United States. There’s Something Here For Everyone! Mineral Springs Fertilizer, Inc. ...More than JUST Fertilizer! • Landscape Materials: Mulches, Top Soil, Wheat Straw • Compost Bulk & Bagged • Vegetable Seeds • Fertilizers • Chemicals • Organic Gardening & Supplies • Wild Bird Feeders & Seed • Garden Flags & Giftware • Purina Feeds • Animal Healthcare Products • Bagged & Bulk Shavings • Alfalfa, Coastal & Fescue Hays 5601 McAlpine Park Drive Charlotte, NC 28211 Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone] Email: [email protected] www.charlottesecondary.org In The Heart of Mineral Springs Since 1957 704.843.2683 Parent Teacher Magazine • May/June 2017 • 15