Thursday, October 1, 2026
The City of Tumwater remains committed to working with the Tumwater School District after the removal of a School Resource Officer (SRO) was referred to as a “breach” of contract.
The move to reassign longtime SRO Tyler Boling back to the field was due to the Tumwater Police Department’s need to maintain minimum patrol staffing levels.
City Administrator Paul Simmons addressed the SRO issue at a meeting of Tumwater School District Board of Directors on March 12. An item on the agenda for the meeting was labeled "Breach of School Resource Officer (SRO) Contract."
“We adamantly disagree that there's been a breach of any contract there. We have been working really closely with school district administrative staff,” Simmons said.
He added that before the meeting, an email was sent outlining all the times that he, the mayor and police chief have met with the district superintendent and other administrative staff.
The city also received a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) amendment from the school district to clarify whether there was a breach of contract, which was approved by the Public Health and Safety Committee.
The MOU is heading to the Tumwater City Council for further review.
“We reiterate where Tumwater stands, and that is, one, we are strongly committed to the SRO program. ... Secondly, we just want to be clear that we are engaged and we're ready to work with you,” Simmons said.
He said the city has repeatedly asked the school district for a joint meeting with the city council, without receiving any confirmation. Simmons invited the board to meet with the council on April 14.
Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders also addressed the board stating, historically, the district is served by the Tumwater Police Department.
“Where I stand with the School Resource Officer situation is that I believe that Tumwater cops should be in Tumwater schools, but above all else, I believe that a cop should be in Tumwater schools,” Sanders said.
Sanders also said that whatever the city or the board wants to do, the important thing is to make it unified decision.
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OlyBlues
What a great start to Mayor Dahlhoff's tenure as Mayor, mismanaging the police department, sending her new overpaid henchman Paul Simmons to make excuses and blow hot air at the Tumwater School Board like they are stupid. This was a total preventable disaster. The new Tumwater Police Chief has been in cahoots with the Tumwater Police Guild as they supported him and worked overtime to oust former Chief Mason and get him appointed. Together, they made sure to get TPD Officer Brown promoted to Detectives and ensure patrol was short staffed. This helped lead to the false "last resort" claim as the new Chief says to pull SRO Boling and breach the contract the city signed only 70 days prior. What a total disgrace.
The only thing consistent with the city of Tumwater is the corruption and rot coming from the top down; the mayor, police chief, and the police guild. All in bed together. Meanwhile the school and our children suffer. As a Tumwater taxpayer, I plea for Sheriff Sanders to put a deputy in the schools. Tumwater clearly cannot manage, respect, or comply with a valid contract with TSD. TCSO has a great track record of quality SRO's. TSD should start negotiations with TCSO ASAP to replace the SRO. The arrogance from the city is stunning.
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