(Image provided by the Appleton Area School District)
The Appleton Area School District and the Appleton Police Department come to an agreement for crossing guards and school resource officers. Under the contract, or memorandum of understanding, the Appleton Police Department will provide 12 school resource officers to Appleton Schools. The district and the police department will each pay half the cost of salaries and benefits for the SRO’s and crossing guards. The agreement runs from 2022 through 2027. The length of the contract raised concerns from Board Member Deborah Truyman, who wanted assurances that adjustments could be made if needed.
“I think it would be important to get some information from the families and students regarding the SRO’s,” Truyman said. “To see what we could do about this? When would be the next time the program could be reviewed?”
District Chief Financial Officer Greg Hartjes said the police department would only accept a minimum five-year contract. He also says the officers also offer more than just security.
“A ot of the students see the SRO’s as another adult in the building that cares about them, ” Hartjes said. “They’ve developed this relationship. They know they can go to the SRO for support if they need it.”
The school board voted 6-1 to approved the contract with the police department.
