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Ringgold board discusses gap in afternoon police coverage for activities and buses
Summary
Board members discussed an unfilled 2–10 p.m. officer shift, rising overtime costs and recent police departures, and asked that the issue be added to a Committee of the Whole agenda for further review.
At a Ringgold School District Board of Education meeting, board members raised concerns about a gap in police coverage during the 2–10 p.m. shift that has left activity buses and evening events covered by overtime or substitute officers rather than a regularly scheduled full-time officer.
Board member Duprani said the district has been relying on part-time officers and overtime for after-school events and activity bus loadings and requested the matter be added to the Committee of the Whole agenda for the coming month. "If our officers have already worked a 40-hour week, we're paying them time and a half when we could have somebody scheduled just to work that shift," Duprani said.
The concern followed a review of recent staffing changes. Chief Schell confirmed the dedicated 2–10 p.m. shift has not been filled for the last couple of years and noted several personnel changes: Officer Stenner at North resigned to take a job with a Catholic diocese, Officer Lisette is scheduled to retire Oct. 3, and a newly hired officer is expected to take a full-time high school assignment, leaving an additional vacancy.
Chief Schell described the current full-time roster as four school police officers, one police sergeant and the chief, with additional coverage provided by three truancy officers and three substitute officers (including two deputy sheriffs and two retired Act 235 security officers who have sometimes been used when needed). Board members said that pattern has required frequent overtime or substitute coverage for evening athletic and extracurricular events.
Board discussion focused on whether restoring a regularly scheduled 2–10 p.m. position would reduce overtime costs and provide more consistent coverage for both activity buses and evening events. Duprani said the district previously assigned a 2–10 officer to bus loadings and that a return to a scheduled afternoon shift might cut costs and reduce the need to piece together coverage.
No formal motion or vote on creating or funding a permanent 2–10 p.m. assignment was recorded. Instead, board members agreed the topic should be placed on a future Committee of the Whole agenda for analysis of costs and staffing options. Chief Schell and the athletic director were asked to prepare information for that discussion.
Board members indicated if the Committee of the Whole does not meet in September the item will be revisited in October.
