Belle Vernon Area hiring school resource officer

By Kaylie Moore
kmoore@yourmvi.com
Belle Vernon Area School District is working with Rostraver Township commissioners to increase security for the upcoming school year.
During a special meeting Wednesday, school board members approved their half of a township resolution allowing for participation in the state Department of Education Office for Safe Schools’ targeted grant process for the hiring of school resource officers.
Board President Lou Rood said the district finalized and submitted a grant proposal through Rostraver Township last night, which allows the township to provide the district with an officer for the high school.
Rood said the district and township will “split the costs accordingly,” even if the $60,000 grant is not received.
The school resource officer will be a Rostraver Township police officer with at least three years of experience.
“We are committing ourselves, along with Rostraver Township, to split the costs for a school resource officer,” he said.
Acting Superintendent Dr. Michele Dowell said the officer’s salary and benefits and all other associated costs will total around $90,000, but the district hopes the grant will offset most of the cost.

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