NL School Board continues SRO discussion

The New London School Board met in special session on May 1, 2023 with all members present. They approved the agenda and then addressed Board Business.

The first item up for discussion was the School Resource Officer. A good definition of a School resource officer (SRO) is a police officer who works in elementary, middle, and high schools. He/she collaborates with school administrators, security staff, and faculty to ensure schools are safe places for students to learn. SROs are not meant to be an armed security presence, scaring kids into behaving, but rather educators, informal counselors, and law enforcement officers, who are part of the schools in which they serve.

Director Howard had done some research concerning an SRO officer for New London. He had talked to various people concerning how such programs work. Both principals discussed what they saw as the mostly positive aspects of an SRO position. The Superintendent discussed the need to have a clear vision of the job expectations from day one.

Various ways to fund the position were also discussed as the officer would be assigned to the school district for the 180 days of the school year. Sharing dollars can be between various entities such as county and school or city and school rather than just between two school districts.

The discussion closed with a directive to continue researching an SRO position for New London. The Board would like to hear from a currently employed SRO as to his/her duties and how the program works.

The Board created a school safety committee. Directors Tim Myers and Tasha Gipple volunteered and were appointed by a vote of the Board. Lindsay Porter and Kyle Helmerson will be the alternates.

•The Board voted to end the Opaa! Food Service agreement. The food service will revert to the New London Food Service with current staff.

•Personnel: Resignations approved — Cassidy Schmidt — 1st grade teacher and Brady Schmidt — 4th grade teacher. Appointments approved — Christine Harris — kindergarten teacher; Stacy Betz — 2nd grade teacher; Cody Lambert — 4th grade teacher; Casey Mangold — Head MS Baseball coach pending licensure; and Austin Burns — Groundskeeper.

The Board approved going into exempt session to discuss negotiations.

The next regular meeting of the New London School Board will be May 22, 2023 at 6 p.m. at the North Campus boardroom.

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