Schools

Cost Questions Hinder Decision on Second Cop at Bridgewater-Raritan

Township Council tables measure to add school resource officer, decision expected July 1.

Although they are all in favor of adding an additional school resource officer to the Bridgewater-Raritan High School for safety reasons, the Township Council opted to table a resolution setting the agreement because of questions over costs.

Since the Newtown tragedy, members of the school district and board of education have been discussing options for increasing security throughout the district, particularly at the high school, which has an open campus.

It was decided, and included in the school budget, to have a second school resource officer in the building during school hours.

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Superintendent of Schools Michael Schilder and Bridgewater Township Police Chief Richard Borden came before the council Monday to discuss the resolution that would set up the agreement between the board of education and the township for that officer.

“A second resource officer has been a topic of the board for at least the last three years, and we have tried to get it in the budget several times, but we couldn’t,” Schilder said. “The tragedy in Connecticut really moved us further along with this.”

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Currently, Schilder said, the high school has one SRO officer that is funded by the township, as well as security personnel, who are unarmed, in the parking lot during the day.

“We have an open campus, 11 buildings, and we have looked at all security measures for it,” he said. “Nothing works for security because the students leave the buildings all day and go to others.”

But, Schilder said, having that extra armed officer on the premises would provide extra security and an extra set of eyes on campus.

According to the agreement that was drafted, a second officer would be placed by the police department in the school, and the board of education would reimburse the township for all the costs of that officer, including salary, pension, health, social security, workers’ compensation and other costs.

Schilder said the board of education would pay for the officer for 12 months a year, although the person would only be needed in the high school for the 10 months school is in session.

“During the summer months, the officer comes back to the Bridgewater police in whatever capacity the chief feels is necessary,” he said, adding that there will be some training over the summer months, with the officer working with teachers and other staff on security issues. “We have crafted for four days during the summer if needed for training. But by and large, the summer months are yours.”

The board of education already approved an inclusion of .

But council members were concerned about the promises of payment and the costs associated.

Councilman Howard Norgalis said he would recommend taking the pricing model used for the current SRO and going from there to determine how much the township would be reimbursed.

Schilder said the costs calculated by the district were relayed to them by township administrator James Naples.

“But the cost model put together is incorrect,” said councilman Matthew Moench. “The district is offering to cover the cost of a second SRO. The information is not accurate because you are covering the cost of a new officer.”

Naples said the police department is planning to hire a new officer—which would not increase head count because of retirements—and dedicate that person to the school district once he or she has completed a one-year required probationary period.

Until then, the department is planning to place one of the other two officers already trained as an SRO in the schools.

Norgalis said they don’t know what the cost is of a veteran officer as opposed to someone new, and he believes there should be a metric used based on the current SRO officer’s salary.

In addition, Norgalis asked whether the district plans to have a second SRO in place for more than just the coming year.

“We want to be careful because if we are going to add to the head count, but decide they don’t want the second SRO, the financial for the new officer goes away,” he said.

Board of education president Patrick Breslin said they cannot promise a multi-year agreement because of legalities, unless the salaries stay fixed, which they don’t due to contract. But, he said, the plan is to continue this program for years to come.

“We have a serious intent for maintaining this year over year,” he said. “We have been looking at whether to invest in human resources or changes in architecture. Our determination has been for human resources, and we are making that commitment to parents and students.”

“It’s a long-term commitment,” he added.

Because of concerns about costs, the council tabled the resolution while more information is gathered. A decision is expected at the July 1 council meeting.


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