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RSU 4 budgets for full-year school resource officer; board plans MOU with Androscoggin County
Summary
The district budget includes funding for a full-year school resource officer (SRO) and the board plans to negotiate a memorandum of understanding with the Androscoggin County sheriff to provide a dedicated officer for RSU 4.
RSU 4 included funding for a full-year school resource officer in the recommended budget and the school board indicated it will pursue an MOU with the Androscoggin County sheriff to secure a dedicated SRO.
Superintendent Katie Grondin told voters the district previously contracted for a school officer on a school-year basis and at times those officers were redeployed for other policing duties. To ensure a dedicated position, "we budgeted $70,000," she said, and noted the increase reflects the switch from a school-year contract to a full July 1 ' June 30 position. The district also budgeted retro pay if an officer begins later in the school year.
Next steps: Grondin said the board will consider an MOU with the Androscoggin County sheriff at the next board meeting to move the hiring process forward. That arrangement, she said, would provide an officer solely devoted to RSU 4 and who would provide summer programming in addition to the school-year assignment.
Public comment: The SRO item was discussed in the context of safety and staffing costs; the superintendent emphasized the district's intention to secure a full-year position to avoid gaps caused by temporary redeployments of officers.
