Hearing about school-related matters via the press before the School Committee has been informed is concerning, said Rochester School Committee member Sharon Hartley on June 9 regarding Rochester Police Chief Paul Magee’s recent proposal to selectmen to add a part-time school resource officer to Rochester Memorial School.
“It was actually kind of alarming that the chief of police would go to the selectmen before he would … to the school committee,” Hartley said.
Hartley was particularly concerned with the idea that the school would be providing funding for the position in light of recent cuts made to balance the FY17 school budget.
In Magee’s defense, RMS Principal Derek Medeiros said the topic was touched on during a prior school budget subcommittee meeting, saying, “He was under the impression that you guys at least had some awareness of it.”
Medeiros said Magee currently visits the school once a month to keep contact with the school administration and provide any insight that may benefit the school.
The proposal stems from a similar resource officer proposal at Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School, which seeks to add an officer to the school three days a week. Magee approached the town to see if there was interest in creating a full-time resource officer position by adding two days a week at RMS.
From a safety standpoint, said Medeiros, the proposal makes sense. From a budget standpoint, he said, “We felt that this was something that we could support.”
“Having a police officer over here for safety and also to build relationships with the kids … I say, hey, what a great opportunity.”
Old Colony is still in the process of approving the position, and Medeiros said Magee is still waiting for an update from Old Colony. In the meantime, he sought an opinion from the Rochester Board of Selectmen.
“The educational piece would be great for the kids, I think,” said School Committee member Meagan Bennett. “And to have some familiarity…”
Committee member Jennifer Kulak said, with lack of funding for a health teacher, she thought it was a great idea, especially with implementing a piece on drugs and drug abuse while building relationships with the students.
For Hartley, funding was an issue. She claimed that, traditionally, adding a resource officer would be funded by the police and through grants. Although she likes the idea of having an officer in the school, this year’s budget proved disappointing to School Committee members when it came to having to go without.
“We would have to have a serious discussion about what that means,” said Hartley. “Do you want to find extra money and put in a police officer in the school or are there other priorities?”
Medeiros said next year, with the retiring of a number of top-tier employees, some funds might be opened up that could absorb the school’s cost for the position. Business Administrator Patrick Spencer concurred.
Hartley said she does think the chief’s premature proposal to selectmen was unintentional, but the process remains problematic.
“We don’t want that to happen again,” said Hartley.
“It looks like something we are willing to explore,” said Chairman Tina Rood.
Superintendent Doug White said the chief will likely attend a future School Committee meeting to discuss the matter more in-depth and to provide information on the roles of the position as well as funding.
In a follow-up email, Magee said Hartley’s concern had not been brought to his attention and declined to comment.
The next meeting of the Rochester School Committee is scheduled for September 8 at 6:30 pm in the Rochester Memorial School band room.
By Jean Perry