POLAND — The massacre of 20 children and six adults Friday in Newtown, Conn., was
uppermost in the minds of officials, parents and administrators at tonight’s Poland school board meeting.
Starting with a moment of silence to remember the victims and the flag lowered to half-staff in front of the building, the school board heard from township Trustee Eric Ungaro, who implored the board to reconsider having a school-resource officer.
Ungaro campaigned on the issue when he ran for trustee. In February, the school board and township came to an agreement to allow a township police officer to make periodic rounds at the high school as part of a regular beat.
“This isn’t a knee-jerk reaction,” Ungaro said. “This is something we’ve been talking about for a long time. ... We’re going to do whatever we can to make it work.”
For the complete story, read Tuesday's Vindicator and Vindy.com
Comments
They might be the only school system in Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana Counties that does not have a cop in the school. They really dont need one?
Poland had a fine resource officer whose position was done away with by former board members. This should have never taken place. We must consider the safety of all our children. Those locks need to be fixed immediately. I am sure now that the levy has passed we can come up with the funds.Glad to hear that Mr. Ungaro is trying to correct this problem.
Back in 2006 the board was faced with the decision of taking on the total cost of paying for a resource officer after a funds grant had expired. Cost was estimated at approx. $40,000-$45,000 per year.
The vote was 2-3 against the re-hiring of the officer.
Stacy....Yes...continue the program
Greene...Yes...continue the program
Bair....No
DiVito...No
Mrs. Zedaker, current board member, was the deciding NO vote. Hopefully she has had a change of heart
It is time for the school board to spend money more wisely. Funny how they always had money for things that really didn't matter to education. Also, the community hopes that we now get a superintendant who values education . We passed the levy but all of us are watching to see how the money will be spent. Security should be a prime concern these days.
Zedaker was afraid of Divito and Bair. Good for Green and Stacy to vote common sence. You have a problem with the officer - address it and make a change don't put the children in harms way.