School Superintendent Theresa Kane says Massachusetts' new anti-bullying law heightens the need for the resource officer.
LUDLOW - The Board of Selectmen has agreed to call for a Civil Service list to fill two police officer positions following a vote by the School Committee to fund half of a school resource officer position.
The School Committee has voted to fund half of a school resource officer position up to $21,000 for one year.
Police Chief James J. McGowan said he has the money in his budget to fund the other half of the $40,000 position.
McGowan said the Police Department also is seeking a three-year federal grant to hire an additional police officer and should learn if it receives the funds by Sept. 1.
If the federal grant is approved it will pay for the school resource officer position, school officials said.
At a recent joint meeting between the Board of Selectmen and school officials, School Superintendent Theresa M. Kane said that the state’s anti-bullying legislation will provide “a tremendous need” for a school resource officer.
The school resource officer position was cut last year due to a lack of funds. Prior to that the position had been funded for 10 years.
The new anti-bullying legislation requires investigations and follow-ups of all bullying complaints received by the School Department.
“We’re not staffed for this,” Kane said.
Kane said she would like to see officer Paul Dobek returned to the schools if a new police officer is hired.
Selectmen said they believe that having a school resource officer is a priority. Selectman Antonio Dos Santos said hiring a school resource officer should be a priority, whether the town or the schools fund it.
“We are all the town of Ludlow. We need to find the funds,” Dos Santos said.