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Pirate News is a presentation of Hart Public Schools in partnership with Oceana County Press.
HART — When students at Hart Public Schools return to campus for the start of the new school year Wednesday, Sept. 2, they will be greeted by a new school resource officer.
Oceana County Sheriff’s Deputy Owen McGuigan has been selected to fill the SRO position.
“We are excited to announce Deputy Owen McGuigan to Hart Public Schools as the school resource officer,” states Oceana County Undersheriff Ryan Schiller in a press release.
Deputy McGuigan graduated from Bath High School in 1988, and, as he likes to say, “yes, I’m old!”
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He went on to attend Western Michigan University and served eight and a half years in the United States Army, including service during Desert Storm.
In 1995, Deputy McGuigan began his law enforcement career with the Michigan State Police. He proudly served with the MSP for 26 years before retiring in 2021. Deputy McGuigan didn’t stay retired for long and came to the sheriff’s office full time in 2023.
Outside of law enforcement, Deputy McGuigan has always had a passion for athletics. “He played soccer through college, but today he says he lives for Friday night lights and baseball. Since coming to Hart, he has also learned to “live and breathe’” wrestling alongside the Hart kids.
“A self-described history person, Deputy McGuigan brings decades of military and law enforcement experience, along with a genuine interest in young people and the Hart community, to his new role.”
When asked about his biggest goal as an SRO, Deputy McGuigan said he wants to “build strong relationships with Hart students, staff, and the community while creating a tradition that can be carried forward by future school resource officers.”
What is his biggest fear? “Not being able to be everywhere at once for the students, staff, and community. That commitment says a lot about the kind of SRO Deputy McGuigan hopes to be — someone who is present, approachable, and invested in the people he serves.
“We are confident Deputy McGuigan will become an important part of the Hart Public School community. His military service, law enforcement experience, enthusiasm, and commitment to building relationships will help create a safe, positive environment where students know they have someone they can count on. Please join us in welcoming Deputy Owen McGuigan to the Hart Public Schools family.”
Det. Sgt. Kevin Skipski of the Hart Police Department served as Hart’s SRO during a three-year grant funding period beginning in 2023. “Through the Office of School Safety, there was a three-year grant that would pay 50 percent of the officer’s wages and benefits, and the school would pay the other 50 percent,” said Hart Police Chief Juan Salazar. “That came to an end at the end of last school year. The school contracted with the sheriff’s office to have the SRO responsibilities taken over by the sheriff’s office.”
Deputy McGuigan will take over the middle school TEAM (Teaching, Educating and Mentoring) program with his new role.
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