Summit Hill School District 161 Board Meeting | September 17, 2025

Article Summary: Summit Hill School District 161 officially introduced Will County Sheriff’s Deputy Justin Farkas as the district’s new School Resource Officer (SRO). Deputy Farkas will be based at Summit Hill Junior High and serve all district schools, marking a significant step in the board’s multi-year effort to enhance campus security.

School Resource Officer Key Points:

• Deputy Justin Farkas, a 16-year law enforcement veteran, was introduced as the district’s first full-time School Resource Officer.

• The SRO position is a partnership with the Will County Sheriff’s Office, which assisted in the selection process.

• Board member John Winter, a vocal proponent of the SRO program, cited recent local and national security incidents as validation for the new role.

• Deputy Farkas will be based at the junior high but will serve the entire district, focusing on safety, building relationships with students, and serving as a mentor.

The Summit Hill School District 161 Board of Education on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, formally welcomed Will County Sheriff’s Deputy Justin Farkas as the district’s new, full-time School Resource Officer (SRO). The introduction marks the culmination of a two-year effort by the board to add another layer of security to its campuses.

Deputy Farkas, who has over 16 years of experience in law enforcement, will be based at Summit Hill Junior High but will provide support and maintain a presence across all four district schools. Before his official start, he shadowed SROs in Lincoln-Way High School District 210 and Homer School District 33C to prepare for his role in an elementary and junior high environment.

During the meeting, board member John Winter read from Deputy Farkas’s letter of interest, which highlighted his commitment to student safety and community engagement. “The school resource officer serves as a vital link between law enforcement and the community,” Farkas wrote. “I believe that a successful school resource officer not only protects students, but also inspires them to make safe and responsible choices. I take pride in being approachable, empathetic, and proactive in my work.”

Winter, who has long advocated for the SRO position, said the addition was a crucial step for the district’s safety. “It’s been a long time coming,” he said. “I worked really hard for the last couple years with the support of Amy [Berk] and the new board here to get the school resource officer in place.”

Winter referenced several security incidents, including a recent armed robbery that led to a manhunt in the surrounding neighborhood and a soft lockdown of district schools. He noted that Deputy Farkas, who was training at Lincoln-Way at the time, responded to the scene immediately. “Before he’s even in this building in his office, he responded here,” Winter said. “There was three helicopters floating around our school… I appreciate the quick response. I’m glad you’ll be in our building.”

The district thanked the Will County Sheriff’s Department, including Deputy Chief Jungles and Sergeant Dirk Obermeyer, for their partnership in the selection process. The SRO role is designed to ensure a safe learning environment, build positive relationships with students and staff, and serve as a mentor and resource for young people.

“I look forward to having you here and working with you and our kids building a great relationship with you,” Winter told Deputy Farkas. “So welcome.”