Federal grant helps MCCSC schools pay for current school resource officer

After receiving a federal grant from the Department of Homeland Security last Tuesday, the Monroe County Community School Corporation will continue to bring safety and security to their schools.

MCCSC will use the grant to employ a school resource officer for the second consecutive year.

MCCSC’s current SRO Jim Witmer rotates between schools.

“His presence in the building and in the classrooms when he visits certainly provides an extra layer of expertise,” David Pillar, Jackson Creek Middle School principal, said.
Because of financial concerns, MCCSC was almost unable to keep Witmer for another year. “We realized before applying for the grant for the 2014-2015 school year that we were $6,000 short for the money to cover his salary and benefits,” Carter said. “We decided to increase our request for $6,000 more.”

Pillar said it will be worth it.

“Having the SRO and the knowledge that he and others in the position bring is reassuring to students, teachers and parents, that safety is, without question, our top priority,” he said.

Angela Hawkins