Security and Safety Improvements at Special School Board Meeting

NEW BETHLEHEM, Pa. by: John Gerow (RVO) – Student safety and security issues were addressed at a special meeting of the Redbank Valley School Board, Monday evening, August 27. The Board voted 6 – 2 to contract with Armstrong Security and Investigations to provide “resource officers” for the three school buildings in the district. The Directors voted unanimously to appoint high school principal Amy Rupp as School Safety and Security Coordinator.

In the discussion regarding contracting with Armstrong Security and Investigations, Interim Superintendent Dan Hawkins told the Board that it was his understanding that Armstrong Security intended to place one officer in each building. He said that Armstrong Security told him that they had hired an officer for the high school, who will start Wednesday and that they have a second officer who will rotate between the Primary School and the Intermediate School until a third officer can be hired. These resource officers will be paid $34/hour for an 8 hour day. (Although not formally presented, the discussion gave the impression that the contract with Armstrong Security would cost $130,000 per year.) Mr. Hawkins reported that this is the model that Armstrong Security and Investigations uses with other schools.

Director Darren Bain asked where the funding for the Armstrong Security contract is in the 2018 – 2019 budget approved and published by the Board. Mr. Hawkins said the expense was not in the budget.  Mr. Bain asked again, where the spending was in the budget. He said that while he is all in favor of improving security in the buildings, he does not see where the District can afford the additional expense.

Board member Dee Bell said that the expense is needed and that the funding will have to come out of the Fund Balance. Mr. Bain replied that this was not a good business practise. He also questioned if it were legal to move money from the Fund Balance accounts into the General Operating Fund. Mr. Bain said that there are a lot of questions that need to be answered before the Board commits to this contract.

Board President Chad Shaffer said that he is not happy that the Board has to spend this money, but that he feels there is no other option. Darren Bain replied that there needs to be a plan to pay for things before they are purchased. Dee Bell said that eventually, all of the overspending will have to be paid for by decreasing the districts payrolls. Director Jason Barnett said that it was his reading of the District’s budget that money cannot be taken out of the Fund Balance for this expenditure. He says that the Board does not have the legal authority to exceed budgeted expenses. The District’s Solicitor is of the opinion that funds can be transferred on a 2/3 vote of the Board. Barnett replied that budgetary transfers can only be done between budgeted expense items and that funds cannot be moved between revenue categories.

Director Bill Reddinger asked that if money cannot be moved from the Fund Balance, how does the Board plan to pay for the track rennovations. Again, the Solicitor’s opinion is that the Fund Balance is available.

On a roll call vote, the agreement with Armstrong Security and Investigations passed 6 – 2. Darren Bain and Jason Barnett cast the opposing votes.

The next work session for the Board will be Thursday evening at 6:30 PM.

MALICIOUS RUMORS:
Following the meeting, Director Bill Reddinger asked this reporter to help quell some “malicious” rumors that are going around town. Mr. Reddinger said that he has received calls from residents about these rumors. Mr. Reddinger said that there the rumors about doing away with the Pledge of Allegiance and students not being allowed to wear flag designs are patently untrue. He called them “malicious lies” and asked that who ever is spreading them stop. These rumors are doing harm to our community.

TRACK IS FINISHED:
Mr. Dan Hawkins, the Interim Superintendent, also asked RedbankValley.org to let everyone know that “the track is finished” and that Friday night’s football game will be at home on the Redbank Valley gridiron.

RedbankValley.org is pleased to be able to pass this information along.

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ABOUT:
Redbank Valley School District provides education services for the 165 square mile area of New Bethlehem and Hawthorn boroughs, and the townships of Mahoning, Madison, Porter, and Redbank of both Clarion and Armstrong counties.

MEETINGS:
The Redbank Valley School Board meetings the first Monday of every month at 7pm at the High School Library.

CONTACT:
For more information about the Redbank Valley School District, please call 814.275.2426 or visit RedbankValley.org/pg/biz/redbank-valley-school-district