Resource Officer OK'd By Sidney School Board

The Sidney school board approved a proposal for an on-site law enforcement officer, School Resource Officer (SRO), to be shared between three schools.

The proposal is for a Cheyenne County Sheriff's deputy to be assigned to Sidney Public Schools, Potter-Dix Public Schools and Leyton Public Schools.

In the Aug. 10 meeting of the Leyton School Board, no decision was made with board members saying the District had not received a contract.

The goals of the program include * Foster educational programs and activities that will increase students' knowledge of and respect for the law and the function of law enforcement, * To encourage SROs to be visible by attending whatever possible extracurricular activities at schools, such as PTO meetings, athletic events and concerts; * To act swiftly and cooperatively when responding to major disruption and flagrant criminal offenses at the school such as disorderly conduct by trespassers, the possession and use of weapons on campus, the illegal sales and/or distribution of controlled substances, riots and other violations; * To make written reports of serious crimes that occur on campus, to conduct investigations, and to cooperate with other law enforcement officials in their investigation of crimes that occur at school.

The agreement is for each district to support the SRO at a cost of $7,500 annually.

In other business, the board approved policies on Fiscal Management for Purchasing and Procurement using Federal Dollars, Construction Management at Risk Contracts, and Design Build Contracts.

The school board also approved the Elementary and Secondary school handbooks, new “Belief Statements” for the Sidney Public Schools,” and school board goals for 2021-22.