Agreement will permit officer to remain in Boardman schools

By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
BOARDMAN -- A police officer will remain in the schools through an agreement between township trustees and the school board.
Under the agreement approved this week by both boards, the school district will reimburse the township for half the officer's salary during the school year.
The township will pay the remainder as well as benefits. The school board will pay for any overtime incurred by the officer because of school-related activities where his presence is requested.
"This is an example of budget cuts coming along and two entities working together to keep a program going that's a pretty strong program," said Curt B. Seditz, township administrator.
The officer assigned to that post, Sgt. Chuck Hillman, earns $29.10 per hour. He works in Glenwood and Center middle schools.
"School safety is always at the forefront, especially these days," said Superintendent Frank Lazzeri. "We consider the school resource officer a person who can help solve problems before they begin both in the schools and in the community."
Worthwhile program
The superintendent said Hillman has been effective in the post during his three-year tenure, and the board thought it was a worthwhile program to continue.
The township had received a $125,000 grant from the U.S. Justice Department to provide part of the SRO's salary over three years. That money ran out, though.
Some of the SRO's duties under the agreement include protecting the schools, their students and staff; making presentations to civic groups and parent-teacher organizations; assessing school safety; and assisting other police departments that are conducting investigations of cases involving the schools, students or staff.