Board approves $30,000 annual contribution for DARE school resource officer in Bluefield

The Mercer County Board of Education approved a memorandum of understanding with the City of Bluefield on May 26 to fund a certified school resource officer (SRO) who will provide DARE instruction and related programming at Bluefield Primary, Bluefield Intermediate and Bluefield Middle.

Chair (speaker 1) read Board Memo 435, which states the city will provide a certified SRO who remains an employee of the City of Bluefield and under the supervision of the Bluefield Police Department while collaborating with school administrators. The district will contribute $30,000 annually from the excess levy toward the officer's salary, and both parties will maintain applicable liability coverage. The agreement may be renewed annually and may be terminated by either party with 30 days’ written notice.

Administrator (speaker 9) explained that the city intended to offer DARE programming regardless, and the MOU and funding arrangement formalizes the district’s participation and helps ensure a consistent SRO presence in Bluefield schools. "The bottom line is they were gonna offer the DARE program one way or other, whether it come out of their budget," speaker 9 said.

Board members asked whether the SRO would be a new hire or drawn from existing city staff; staff clarified the officer will remain a city employee and the district contribution is to support the program and salary. The board approved the MOU on a 4–0 vote.

The vote authorizes district staff to finalize the agreement and to budget the $30,000 annual contribution from the excess levy for the coming school year.