MACS to add School Resource Officer
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by Jeff Snyder
During the Board of Supervisor meeting held September 15 the board discussed the addition of a School Resource Officer (SRO).
The SRO position will be responsible for maintaining a visible presence on school grounds, fostering communication between law enforcement and the students and serving as a resource to school staff and administrators. The officer will help the students regarding a variety of safety topics including bicycle safety, conflict resolution and emergency action planning. For older students, the SRO will be able to address on road safety, road condition awareness and defensive driving techniques that help to mitigate traffic accidents.
Initially the SRO position will spend three days per week divided between the schools on a rotating schedule. This schedule will enable the SRO to spend roughly 20 hours per week on site. The remainder of the SRO’s hours will be spent on regular sheriffs deputy responsibilities as needed.
The position would require the Ringgold County Sheriff’s office to add an officer that will be funded via a shared budget adjustment between the state and the county. Under the current state guidelines, the Iowa Board of Education will grant a budget allotment of approximately $16,000. This amount represents funding equal to two students, typically $8,000 per student. The remaining expense will come out of the counties sheriffs office budget. Final budget analysis is pending.
The board and the sheriffs office are aware of the challenges that hiring this individual will present. Minimum qualifications are stated as follows:
Certified law enforcement officer in the state of Iowa
Minimum of two years of law enforcement experience (preferred)
Strong interpersonal and communication skills with an emphasis on youth interaction experience
Demonstrated ability to respond calmly and effectively in a crisis situation.
Commitment to community oriented policing principles
Must be able to successfully pass a background investigation, psychological exam and drug screening
The Board of Supervisors reconvened September 29 to further discussed the SRO implementation program. The board unanimously agreed to move forward with the addition of the SRO with the start date to be determined upon completion of the financing agreement and the results of the Diagonal School Board decision on whether to be included in the SRO program or not. This decision will be discussed at the next regular meeting in Diagonal scheduled for Wednesday, October 15.
During the Board meetings it was emphasized that the SRO position was not to be interpreted as a show of force, rather it is intended to provide an additional layer of safety and education to students, faculty and staff at MACS.
During the conversation it was discussed among the members that there would have to be some digging to do in order to fully fund the SRO program. Long time board member Steve Knapp was passionate about moving forward “You can’t make me not approve this. I don’t care, you can count the dollars all you want, I am not going to not approve this.” The meeting concluded with members satisfied with the progress and the anticipation of Diagonals decision. The Record News will report on the additional findings as they become available.
