Where are the experts?
…..Cutting staff in the County school system is a concern on many levels. The reduction of Police Resource Officers is a concern that touches residents from all backgrounds and impacts students of all ages. Both Sheriff Scott Gittings and Police Chief Charlie Kush have made their opposition to the cuts well known in letters that have been widely circulated. It seems to me, however, that when we change academic programs or add a sports we hear from a range of programs with national and state agencies citing statistics.
We need to see those statistics and hear from the experts before such an important decision is made. There is a statewide program on PRO officers. The contact is Krista Ferrell. She can be reached in Charleston at 304-352-0217 or Krista.S.Ferrell@wvgov. I’m sure Ms. Ferrell is a wealth of information and can direct those making the decision to statistics regarding PROs at schools with and without them.
I believe Superintendent Saunders left the door for discussion open when he said at the most recent board meeting “nothing is cast in stone.” Let’s make sure we have all the information we need as that decision before making the final decision.
