Republic School District families and employees,

As we prepare to welcome students back for a new school year, I want to take a moment to acknowledge something that matters deeply to all of us — safety.

The mission of Republic School District is to prepare each student for future excellence through a safe educational environment. We know when you send your child to school, you’re placing your trust in us and that is a responsibility we do not take lightly. The safety of our students and staff is our top priority, and we are committed to creating an environment where every student and staff member feels secure and supported, so they can focus on learning.

This work goes beyond doors and drills. While we continue to invest in strong safety protocols — from secure entrances and emergency planning to our School Police team and partnerships with local law enforcement — we also know people are at the heart of the safe learning environment we strive to provide. Positive peer relationships and a sense of belonging for all students are critical to creating safe, successful schools.

Kindness and connection matter. Whether it’s inviting someone new to sit at lunch, including others in a group project, greeting a classmate by name or simply offering a smile in the hallway, small actions can make a big difference. Our students have the power to create welcoming spaces where everyone feels safe, seen and valued.

That’s why we’re also asking families to have conversations with students about using respectful language with one another and taking any mention of threats seriously. Even comments made in passing or on social media can carry serious consequences and cause unnecessary discomfort, fear or disruption. We encourage students to report concerns to a trusted adult or the School Police team, rather than reposting or sharing them online.

Below, you’ll find additional safety reminders and resources as we begin the 2025-2026 school year.

Thank you for your continued trust and support. We look forward to a great year together.

With gratitude,
Dr. Matt Pearce
Superintendent, Republic School District

The highly-trained Republic School Police team is made up of seven School Resource Officers and one School Safety Coordinator. Members of the team are stationed throughout the district.

Click here to learn more about each individual team member and find contact information for them.

Pictured:

• Front row (left to right):

  • Mark Priebe, School Safety Coordinator, Central Office

  • Officer Troy Rogers, RHS, Price Elementary School & Early Childhood Center

  • Officer Jeff Henson, Republic Middle School

  • Officer Jason Laub, Republic Intermediate School

• Back row (left to right):

  • Officer Robert Duncan, Republic High School

  • Officer Jim Calhoon, McCulloch & Schofield Elementary Schools

  • Officer Jon Davis, Sweeny & Lyon Elementary Schools

  • Scott Umbarger, Director of School Police, Central Office

In addition to our School Resource Officers, every building has the following procedures in place: 

• All exterior doors remain locked.

• Every visitor is screened before entering through a secure vestibule at the front entrance.

• Every building is monitored through video surveillance inside and outside.

• Each school building practices regular safety drills.

• NEW THIS YEAR: Safety and security film has been added to all exterior doors, first-floor windows and school entrance vestibules for additional security at ALL buildings. This was funded thanks to our community's support of a no-tax rate increase bond issue in April this year.

Every summer, our School Resource Officers complete the following trainings:

• Mass Casualty Incident Response

• Domestic Child Sex Trafficking

• Firearms Training

• Mental Health Awareness

The Republic School District regularly reviews our safety procedures and emergency operations plans. We update those plans as needed during the summer months and throughout the school year. 

The Republic School District would like to offer families this Emergency Response Guide. The guide outlines key elements of our district's emergency plan. We hope the information will prepare families for what to expect during an urgent situation, including how our district will respond and how families will receive important updates.

We are once again asking families to not line up for pick-up or drop-off more than 15 minutes early.

Our school police and local first responders MUST be able to access our buildings in case of an emergency, and they cannot do so if vehicles are blocking the parking lot during school hours. Pick-ups and drop-offs might take a little longer than usual, but please pack your patience and arrive at your student's school no more than 15 minutes before arrival or dismissal times.

With schools opening their doors to students, we will see more traffic throughout our community and around our schools. Please be cautious, watching for student walkers and bikers, and also students waiting for, entering and exiting our buses. We also appreciate you looking out for our young drivers as they come and go to school!

Knowing and following your student's school car line procedures will ensure safety for you and the families around you. Please watch for school zones and always obey speed limits. Parents of young drivers, we encourage you to remind your students to be mindful of speed limits as well, while also avoiding distractions like cell phone use while behind the wheel.

In addition, never pass a bus loading or unloading children.

Traffic is likely to be more backed up in the first few days of school as all drivers and community members get back into the routine of the school year. While being cautious, please be kind to other drivers on the road!

The safe transportation of our students is a top priority for the Republic R-III School District. To ensure that each route and trip provided to our students is safe and pleasant, it is imperative that a safe, clean and controlled environment is provided on the bus. In that regard, the following measures have been instituted to ensure student safety on the bus.

Click here to review the bus rider rules and expectations.

As mentioned above, safety relies on partnership. In addition to encouraging kindness and reporting concerns to a trusted adult, we ask families to also talk with students about:

• Bringing only appropriate items to school

• Speaking up about safety concerns — for themselves or others

• Avoiding bullying, harassment and hurtful comments, which harm our positive school environment and often have negative consequences

• Following emergency procedures and taking all drills seriously

"First day of school" photos are an exciting tradition for many families this time of year! When sharing these pictures on social media, no matter what your privacy settings are, it's important to protect your student's personal information.

Remember to NOT include any identifying information about your student in photos shared online, including the following:

• Age

• School name

• Teacher's name and grade

• School bus number

• Identifying features of the location (Including your house/apartment number)

See the examples below, featuring School Resource Officer Calhoon, which show what NOT to post versus what to post!