By MATT LINDSEY

POTSDAM – Potsdam Central School is exploring the idea of adding an armed Student Resource Officer (SRO), making them the only St. Lawrence County school district to have one.

“Because the Potsdam Central School District is committed to providing a safe, respectful environment, the Board of Education is considering establishing an SRO as a pro-active measure,” PCS Superintendent Joann Chambers said.

The SRO would be armed with a gun, Chambers said. “The Board of Education is very interested in learning how the community feels about this concept,” she said. “We will be conducting a community forum in January and also surveying parents in the coming weeks.”

Several St. Lawrence County school districts in the past have had an SRO in their buildings including Norwood-Norfolk and Parishville-Hopkinton schools. Malone is the only nearby district that now has an SRO.

In September, the Board of Education asked Chambers to gather information regarding an SRO so the board could decide whether or not to recommend adding this position for the 2018-19 school year.

Chambers interviewed several local superintendents who worked with a School Resource Officer at some point in their administrative careers, and she visited Malone Central School District to meet with Superintendent, Jerry Griffin

“Overall, the response I got from local superintendents was very positive,” Chambers said. “The administrators I spoke with provided numerous examples of situations that occurred in which they were very grateful to have the School Resource Officer in the building.

“Probably the comment that resonated most with me was from Superintendent Griffin,” she said. “When I asked what he saw as the greatest benefit of employing an SRO he replied, ‘we have someone in the school building who is focused on student safety 100 percent of the time.’”

No principal or superintendent can do that, she says.

“It gives me peace of mind to know someone is paying attention to and thinking about the safety of our students at all times because I know I cannot be,” Chambers said. “I believe installing an SRO would provide the support our administrators need to realize this vision.”

Chambers says the school is safe and they have devoted a great deal of resources to maintaining that environment.

“We have a district-wide safety plan, a district safety committee that meets monthly and we have installed many security devices, installed security cameras, and conduct regular safety drills in conjunction with the Potsdam Village Police Department. We see an SRO as one more step we can do to help maintain the safe environment we have created.”

Chambers said it was important that the officer not be seen as a disciplinarian but rather as a resource for students, staff, and administration.

SRO’s do not enforce the code of conduct and do not discipline students. “The building principal is responsible for managing students,” she said.

The agreement would need to be through the Village of Potsdam with the Potsdam Police Department as a liaison. The SRO must serve as a member of the Potsdam Village Police Department.

“It is my understanding that, by law, an SRO must be hired through a police agency,” she said. “It makes sense for that agency to be the Potsdam Village Police Department.”

Potsdam Central sent a proposed agreement to Potsdam Police Chief Mark Murray and to their own attorney, but have not formally approached village officials.

“This proposal is contingent upon the district entering into a contractual agreement with the Village of Potsdam,” she said. “We have not met to discuss this yet, though Chief Mark Murray is in support of having an SRO in school. It will be critical for us to successfully engage the Village of Potsdam in this proposal. There would be no cost to the village for this proposal.”

The agreement would pay the SRO a per diem salary not to exceed $30,000 per year. The agreement also specifies that the SRO must be an active or retired law enforcement officer.

The job would generally be from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m. Monday through Friday at a rate of $166.66 per day for 180 days. The school would pay the village the money.

Chamber said she went into the process with an open mind and that she realizes the need for addressing unmet educational needs amidst a challenging school budget, but she still believes adding an SRO to the district would be beneficial.

The proposal is also contingent upon the district being able to add this cost to the 2018-19 school budget. There is no funding available

“The Board of Education’s finance committee has begun meeting, and there are many needs to consider,” Chambers said. “Knowing how the community feels about the positions and programs proposed, including the SRO proposal, will help shape our decision-making.”

Chambers wants the community to weigh in on the decision.

“It is vital that our school community be given the opportunity to ask questions and provide the board with feedback before any recommendation is made,” she said. “While I know our community prioritizes student safety, I do not presume to know how parents, staff, students, and community members feel about having a School Resource Officer on campus.”

Chambers said a contract would be for a one year and the school could decide to hire a new person or eliminate the position at any time.

The SRO would answer to principals and the superintendent while employed at PCS.

The officer would be provided a firearm and other necessary police equipment for use while on the job through Potsdam Police.