Nettle Creek board approves one-year SRO MOU, personnel hires and payroll claims

The Nettle Creek School Corporation board unanimously approved routine financial and personnel items and a one-year memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Hagerstown Police Department to continue Student Resource Officer (SRO) services.

At the meeting the board approved payroll totaling $590,597.15 and claims totaling $452,181.50 (including multiple ECA totals) by voice vote, recorded as 6-0 in favor.

On personnel, district staff asked the board to approve three noncertified positions, three on-call substitute teachers (including two on-call substitute nurses) and accepted one HES instructional assistant resignation. The personnel report was approved by a 6-0 voice vote.

District staff recommended a one-year SRO contract with the Hagerstown Police Department as the current three-year agreement enters its final year. The one-year recommendation was presented to allow annual review of financial impacts and alignment with other MOUs. The contract terms as presented include a base salary increase of $1,000 for each SRO at the start of the "2627" school year (as stated in the meeting). The superintendent said the shorter term will give the district and the town the flexibility to review budgetary conditions before committing to multi-year increases. The SRO MOU was approved 6-0 by voice vote.

Board members who spoke thanked district staff for the information prepared for the meeting and expressed support for the recommended SRO arrangement pending annual budget review. No amendments to the contract were proposed at the meeting.

The meeting adjourned; the board set its next meeting for April 8 in the LGI Room.