A police officer with 25 years of local experience has joined Perry County School District 32 in the role of safety director and SRO, but it’s not his first time working on campus. Garret Schott began his duties March 4.
Schott graduated from the Southeast Missouri State University Law Enforcement Academy in 1999, and joined the Perryville Police Department the same year. He served as a patrol officer until 2002, when took a new assignment. “I served as the DARE Officer for six years,” Schott said. “I worked with fifth-grade students, teaching them how to avoid substance use and abuse.”
In 2008, Schott was promoted to sergeant and went back on the road as a shift supervisor, the job he held until last year. He has also been a member of the Perryville Fire Department since 1997 and is currently one of the assistant chiefs.
He was hired by the board of education in February in partnership with Perryville Police Department. A federal grant helped fund the new position at the school. He joins SRO Teresa Worthington who has been serving campus since 2017.
“It’s good to be back at District 32,” he said. “I feel fortunate to already know campus and so many people who work here. I’m looking forward to working with SRO Worthington to keep our campus and people safe. She and I worked together for many years at the police department. I know that when things happen, she will take care of it.”
Schott said his first few days have been spent visiting buildings to meet students and staff. “I’ve also been checking out the new security measures that the district has implemented, and checking on facility safety. My job is to make sure that the district is prepared for any emergency that may pop up: fires, tornadoes, earthquakes, or injuries at school or sporting events.”
Schott said that he feels the campus is secure. “As I’m walking around campus, I am confident that our schools are secure,” he said. “We have some tweaking to do on some of our emergency procedures, but I believe that our students and staff are safe here.”
He said he’s enjoying working with youth again. “I’ve been visiting with kids,” he said, “because it’s important that they feel comfortable talking with me. I want them to feel as though I am approachable.” He’s also reached out to district staff to let them know how they can contact him. “I have an open door and anyone can visit me at the Central Office with questions or concerns.”
Schott and his wife Kim live in Perryville. The couple has three children – Kyla, Gavin, and Drew.