The Hancock County Commission will request a meeting with Superintendent Dan Enich and the    Board of Education prior to signing  an agreement to provide PRO (Police Resource Officers) for the County’s schools.  The Commission voted to table the contract presented by the Board of Education and schedule a meeting with new school superintendent Dan Enich and the Board.

     While the contract has been presented, the Commissioners had not had the opportunity to meet with the Board of Education and discuss the financial implications of providing the officers. 

       Commissioner Eron Chek noted that in 2018, the Commission spent $800,000.00 for the program and in 2022, $725,000.00/ year.  Over the 25 years the program has been in place the Commissioners spent $5 ½ million to fund the program.

        Chief Deputy Todd Murray was on hand and emphasized the importance of the officers in the schools, not only to provide safety, but to provide a positive role model for the students.

     Approval was given to hire five new deputies;  Quincy Lamont Keith Damron, Joseph Bartholome DeStefano, Caleb Matthew Minger, Christopher Craig Oaks and Jacob Daniel Gittings.

In other business, the Commission:

**Heard from Robert Pope from the Newell American Legion seeking assistance to revamp the veteran’s memorial in front of the post home. Chek suggested providing the assistance of the County’s grant writer to the group to identify funding.  Pope will also be in touch with Sen. Ryan Weld for funding;

**Approved  General County Budget Revision #1;

**Approved Coal Severance Budget Revision #2.

**Appointed Lisa Ludovici to the Grant District position on the Board of Health.  The position is designated Republican and Ludovicki is Republican,  Kaye Dowdy also applied for the position, but her party affiliation is Democratic.

**Approved the hiring of Serena Anderson as a Full-time 911 Dispatcher;

**Approved a letter of permission to the WV Alcohol Beverage Control Administration regarding a private event in Hancock County,