The Shadow
HOT SPRINGS – The Bath County School Board is receptive to the concept of a resource officer stationed in county schools.
Sheriff Robert Plecker, who earlier in his law enforcement career received school resource officer training, outlined the program Tuesday night.
Plecker spoke before the Bath County School Board during its regular April meeting, held in the library at Bath County High School.
“It gives a body on campus,” Plecker said. “I can’t see a negative in having a body on campus. You basically have an armed police officer on campus.”
Plecker explained that a SRO would work under the direction of the sheriff and with the administrative staff at the school very closely.
“He meets with the principal daily,” Plecker said. “He reports any and all activity first to the administration of the school and then to me.”
Plecker said he is currently five employees short in his department. Three new employees are in school receiving training at this time, and one has shown an interest in the SRO program.
“He’s got to be a people person and a kid person,” Plecker said. “Not everybody can do that.”
Plecker explained the advantages of an SRO.
“Not only does it bring a presence to the school that we have been lacking, it also brings another officer to the county,” he said.
Additionally, Plecker said an SRO could work extracurricular activities such as sporting events. He added that an SRO could divide time between all three Bath County schools.
The role of a school resource officer includes his duties as a law enforcement officer, providing law-related education, serving as a community liaison and being a role model to students.
Plecker said he received training as an SRO in 2006, but the program was never implemented in Bath County schools.
“I can’t see a negative to having a resource officer on campus,” Plecker said.
The next step, Plecker said, is to approach the Bath County Board of Supervisors and discussing funding alternatives for the position. He said the starting salary for any deputy in the state is $28,234. It could be more if the employee has previous law enforcement experience or additional training.
Many school divisions across Virginia employ school resource officers, including the city of Covington and Alleghany County.
“I think we were, in other words, receptive to the idea,” Superintendent Sue Hirsh said. “This could be a positive part of our school program.”
Members of the school board were also excited about the possibility of an SRO stationed in Bath County schools.
“This gives parents, students and teachers peace of mind,” Vice Chair Rhonda Grimm said. “I like the idea of a school resource officer.”
In other business Tuesday night, the Bath County School Board recognized several students and a Millboro Elementary School teacher for recent accomplishments.
Students were cited for their participation in The Homestead Young Chef Challenge held on March 8 at the Dabney S. Lancaster Community College Regional Center in Rockbridge County.
Rebekah Blake, Christal Colon, Kiwi Plecker and Branden Via shared first place in the Taste of Virginia contest, while George Miller, Mariah Leslie, Kala Day and Abby Folks were recognized for second-place finishes in the Cook Off.
Damaine Brown and Christal Colon earned second-place finishes in the Taste of the Town competition, while Charlie Adams, Sarah Wright, Ashley Rice and Ryan Woodzell received third-place honors in the Culinary Quiz Bowl.
Millboro Elementary teacher Kim Lancaster was also cited for being named to a four-year term as vice president of the Virginia State Reading Association.
“The Virginia State Reading Association is near and dear to my heart,” Hirsh said in recognizing Lancaster. “It is the No. 1 advocate for literacy instruction in Virginia.”
Also Tuesday night, Steve Shaver of the Bath County Athletic Booster Club provided an update on construction of the new BCHS softball field.
Shaver said excavation is nearly complete, and sod will be put down after the backstop is installed.
Shaver said the contractor is in hopes of playing “a game or two this year on that field.
“The project has gone very well,” Shaver added.
In other business Tuesday night, the Bath County School Board:
– received a Career and Technical Education update from BCHS Principal Sarah Rowe and approved the 2012-13 Perkins Local Plan and budget for Career and Technical Education;
– approved the annual special education plan for 2012-13;
– approved several overnight field trips;
– approved an annual four-day summer work week;
– approved second reading of various Virginia School Boards Association policies;
– approved the personnel list for 2012-13 as presented;
– approved the appointment of Rachel Suter as a long-term substitute;
– approved the request of a parent;
– approved the renewal of a three-year contract for speech and language therapy and occupational therapy services.
