Full-time SRO step closer for Gentry schools

! School board approves paying salary for police ofÿcer dedicated to schools.

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Having a police officer dedicated full-time to Gentry Schools is a step closer after school board members voted, at their Sept. 16 meeting, to approve an agreement with the city of Gentry for the additional law enforcement coverage.

Out of concern for student safety at Gentry Schools, Randy Barrett, superintendent of schools, proposed an arrangement with the city to increase law-enforcement coverage at the schools from part-time to full-time. After discussions withGentry’s mayor, Kevin Johnston, and Gentry police chief, Keith Smith, Barrett proposed paying a full-time offi cer’s annual salary in exchange for fulltime coverage at the schools every day in which students are in classes and at most sporting events and activities.

Because one full-time offi cer cannot cover the schools each day and also attend all activities, the city would assign other uniformed officers to events in exchange for the paid hours the city will obtain from the full-time school resource offi cer over the summer months and during school vacation periods.

Taking into account the money currently paid for a part-time SRO and the extra money being paid out for event coverage, Barrett called the proposed arrangement “close to a wash” for the school district.

Though the arrangement is not yet offi cially approved by the city of Gentry, Kevin Johnston, Gentry’s mayor, called the arrangement a “win-win situation” with additional law-enforcement protection being provided to the school district and the city at no additional cost to the city’s taxpayers.

Johnston said the city might be able to make up the extra patrol hours in the city with part-time police staff.

The arrangement is expected to be brought before the Gentry City Council at its Oct. 7 meeting.

News, Pages 1 on 10/02/2013