Jessica Mathews / news@whmi.com


Fowlerville Police are seeking some conversations and changes to ensure the department’s school resource officer is being utilized to the fullest.

There is one official school resource officer and then four security officers, with one school Director of School Security, who is a retired Fowlerville Police Officer and the former longtime SRO.

The following was posted on behalf of Police Chief John Tyler on the Department’s Facebook page:

"The Fowlerville Police Department remains fully committed to the safety of our students, staff, and schools. We’re proud of the strong partnership we’ve had with Fowlerville Community Schools over the years, and we want to continue building on that foundation.

Recently, Chief Tyler shared concerns with the Village Council about the evolving role of the School Resource Officer (SRO) role — and the department’s current involvement of emergency planning, safety drills, or threat assessments.

We want to be clear: We support the presence of school security staff and the work they do to keep students safe. However, there must be a clear and defined line between the role of a security officer and that of a School Resource Officer.

A security officer can observe and report. An SRO is a fully sworn law enforcement officer with the authority, training, and legal responsibility to:

• Respond directly to emergencies or threats
• Assist in developing school crisis plans
• Lead preparedness trainings
• Build trust and mentorship with students
• Conduct investigations and address criminal matters
• Coordinate with outside agencies during a crisis

We at the Fowlerville Police Department see a real need for greater collaboration and the full, active use of the SRO role. School safety works best when it’s a joint effort — and we’re ready to do our part.

This is about moving forward — together. Fowlerville is an incredible community, and we believe that by working side by side, we can make our schools stronger, safer, and better prepared for anything".


Chief Tyler told WHMI the School Resource Officer role is basically being under-utilized. He said there needs to be a more formal, active, and involved role with the SRO spearheading training, performing investigations, and working with other law enforcement partners etc.

Tyler further clarified and stressed that there is absolutely nothing against the district, administration, or any of the current security officers but everyone needs to come to the table and conversations need to occur – with defined roles and changes in the name of school safety and security.

Fowlerville Community Schools and Superintendent Matt Stuard issued the following district statement on school safety:

"Fowlerville Community Schools is aware of recent public comments regarding our school safety program and Director of School Security, Jeff Soli. We'd like to clarify a few key facts:

-Mr. Soli, a retired Village police officer, brings 20+ years of SRO experience and leads a team of highly trained safety monitors in every school building, many with law enforcement or military backgrounds.

-We partner with the Village-employed School Resource Officer and maintain ongoing collaboration with the Village Police Department.

-A 2024 third-party safety audit conducted by Secure Environment Consultants (SEC) found: “Fowlerville has a strong security presence... professional, well-equipped, and well-prepared at all levels.” SEC also highlighted our leadership's dedication to student safety and our commitment to continually assessing and strengthening our security systems. Further SEC recognized our leadership as “extremely dedicated to the safety and security of the students,” applauded our commitment to “consistently reassess the security needs of the district and respond in the appropriate manner,” and affirmed that we are “well prepared at all levels.”

-In 2025, we launched the District Safety & Security Committee, co-led by Mr. Soli and the Assistant Superintendent, bringing together district leaders, board members, and the Village SRO to evaluate and improve safety practices across the district.

-Facility improvements include secure entry vestibules at Fowlerville Elementary and as part of the Smith renovations, new cameras, real-time monitoring, and added safety features at all schools.

At Fowlerville Community Schools, student safety is more than a priority, it is a core value. We remain committed to working side-by-side with our community to keep our Gladiators safe, strong, and supported."

Superintendent Stuard distributed a letter to the community during Monday's school board meeting, to further explain the district's stance.

"While the Village Attorney recently made public statements questioning the roles of district security personnel and law enforcement coordination, no formal complaints or documented concerns about the performance of the Director of School Security, safety drills, or interference have ever been submitted to the Superintendent by the Village Police Chief or any Village official. However, the Superintendent has held constructive discussions with the Police Chief and Board of Education members regarding the respective responsibilities of the SRO and Director of School Security. These conversations are part of an ongoing effort to ensure role clarity and effective coordination, not signs of conflict or breakdown.

"Following SEC’s recommendations, the district has adopted a multi-layered safety framework. This includes the creation of a District Safety and Security Committee in Spring 2025, co-led by the Director of School Security and the Assistant Superintendent. The committee includes all school administrators, key department directors, two Board of Education members, and the Village-employed SRO. It will serve as a standing committee, meeting regularly to assess and enhance district safety practices, with feedback gathered from staff and the community.

"Fowlerville also prioritizes continuous staff training. In June 2025, all principals, safety monitors, and operations staff attended the SEPLA Safety Conference, along with the Superintendent. The conference provided hands-on training in emergency simulations, online threat identification, substance abuse prevention, and crisis response.

"Significant facility improvements have further strengthened our security measures. Fowlerville Elementary School, opened in January 2025, includes a secure entry vestibule, surveillance cameras, security window film, and exterior barriers. New cameras were installed at Natalie Kreeger Elementary in Spring 2025, and renovations at the Smith Building include a secure vestibule for early childhood programs. The district also added painted crosswalks and safety signage along Hibbard Street and East Access to improve pedestrian visibility. As an added measure, TV monitors are being installed in all main offices to allow administrative assistants and building leaders to monitor entry points and security cameras in real time.

"Together, these efforts reflect an ongoing commitment to maintaining a safe, secure, and responsive environment. Claims that public safety has been compromised or that law enforcement is being excluded from planning efforts are not supported by facts. At Fowlerville Community Schools, safety is not just a priority, it is a core value that guides every decision we make."