BELLE — A Maries R-2 parent at the Feb. 28 board of education meeting asked about the reliability of the district’s new school resource officer (SRO) provided by the Maries County Sheriff’s Department and if the position is permanent or political.

Tasha Weller has students in the district who experienced an issue during the week of Jan. 24 that would have benefited from the presence of an SRO.

“I was told during the week of Jan. 24 by the staff, board members and the sheriff’s department — because I made several phone calls — that there were a number of reasons that we didn’t have a school resource officer anymore,” Weller began. “Some reasons that were given were money, who was gonna pay for it,  the county and which county was going  to cover Bland, and  some expressed concerns that the last school resource officer wasn’t as dedicated as he should have been.”

Weller continued that on Feb. 14 the Maries County Sheriff’s Department announced that Joe Turnbough, a former marshal who is a candidate next month’s election, is now a part-time SRO for the district.

“Some of you may not be fully aware of the issues that go on in our district,  I hope to discuss those with you later, but the safety of our children and staff should be our number one priority,” Weller said. “Our children and staff should not fear coming to school or to work. Our children should be comfortable to openly discuss any issues if they feel threatened at home or at school.”

Weller said she understands the staff are not babysitters and shouldn’t have to deal with badly behaved children. They are attending to get an education and staff are there to give it.

“For some children, school is the best part of their life,” Weller said. “We need a full-time school resource officer. No parent should ever hear their child say, ‘I am tired of watching my back and looking over my shoulder.’”

Weller asked if Turnbough’s position is permanent.

“Will we continue to have (an SRO) if he quits? Is this a publicity stunt for the election? Who’s funding it? Is he being paid? I was told he is volunteering his time. And will the school resource officer be attending all schools?” Weller asked. “I was also told this afternoon that the Maries County Sheriff’s Department is the one funding it or doing it. He has only shown up one time, I guess? Has he shown up a couple of times or has he been here every day?”

Superintendent Dr. Lenice Basham addressed Teller.

“It is (a permanent position) for us until the remainder of the school year,” Basham said. “The position is not up to us to replace, we get our person from Maries County Sheriff’s Department. At this point, we only get what we are given and we pay for a daily rate to Maries County. Maries County does his benefits and he works for Maries County.”

Basham said Turnbough does visit both campuses.

Weller asked if the conversations she had around Jan. 24 regarding the safety of the children and behavior issues are resolved with the presence of the SRO? Basham said they do now have an SRO and the district does pay for it.

“At that point that is what I can tell say, is that we do have a hired SRO that does attend to all three buildings,” Basham said.

Weller said the remainder of her discussion with the board would be closed session if they would allow it.

“The city of Belle would like to come to the March meeting and present an SRO opportunity as well,” Basham said. “The city didn’t have one ready for this month, but would like to present one at the March meeting.”

Cindy Butler was present at the meeting and asked what the salary of an SRO is and if there is a way to offset the salary with grants.

“Any resources that would help?” she asked.

Basham said they pay the SRO’s salary out of local funds and it was around $30,000 last year, excluding summer school. The salary is paid by the day rather than by the month so they are paid for every day that the officer works.

“So you pay for the resource but you don’t have a say in their performance?” Butler asked.

Basham confirmed Butler’s question.

“We don’t,” Basham said. “At this point, we are given an SRO by the Maries County Sheriff’s Department.”

Butler asked if the school would have more control over the position if they went through a private entity. Board President Joey Butler II said they would but it would be a lot of money. Basham explained that the officer has to be POST (Police Officers Standards and Training) Certified through a recognized department. The district couldn’t hire anyone to be an SRO.

“It has to run through a local police department or sheriff’s department because they have to have their peacekeeper’s license,” Basham said. “We can’t just hire someone.”

Basham said it doesn’t make sense to pay a private person for the entire year, with benefits, when they aren’t being utilized for three months. Butler said it doesn’t make sense for the district to pay them when they are pulled out of the district to be on the streets.

“In the past, if the SRO was out sick they would normally send another deputy for the day,” she said. “Maries County does try to cover a deputy for the day (if something happens).”

Weller added that since the Jan. 24 incident with her student, she has made several phone calls to all entities that would potentially be involved.

“I talked to a couple of you and every one of you gave me a different answer — I talked to Mr. (Chris Heitman) and all of them were different stories as to why things aren’t funded and why we don’t have one,” Weller said. “I just ask that, it is that time of year for election, it is that time of year for things to be publicized, that if we don’t continue to see something from certain individuals, that you guys seek other resources for our children to be safe.”

Weller added that if things don’t work out, the district should consider someone who is not POST Certified. Basham said there are liability issues to consider if the district hired someone without a peacekeeper’s license or someone who is private.

“That is why we have tried to enter into an agreement with either the city of Belle or Maries County,” Basham said.

Weller asked the board not to give up if the current situation doesn’t work out. Joey Butler promised the board would keep looking if things changed.