Brandon Twp.- A last minute deal will keep the police liaison officer position in the school district until June.
Township Supervisor Kathy Thurman and Brandon Schools Superintendent Lorrie McMahon reached an agreement on Dec. 26, in which the school district will contribute $10,000 to fund the position for the remainder of the school year.
‘The impact of the liaison position has proven to be beneficial to students, faculty and the community,? Thurman said. ‘Along with day-to-day counseling and providing security, the police liaison officer also coordinates seminars and prevention programs throughout the district. It is important for Brandon Township to support the school liaison position. However, the Brandon Township taxpayers should not be required to be its only source of funding.?
OCSO Sgt. Pete Burkett said Terrell earns an annual salary of $65,000; however, the cost of having a school liaison officer in the township is $120,316.04 per year, including the salary, training, medical benefits, uniforms, a patrol car, gas, maintenance, and auto insurance. In 2008, the school district contributed $40,000 to this total cost, with the township picking up the rest. Prior to 2008, Thurman said the school district contributed $20,000 per year.
She notes that the school liaison officer spends 75 percent of his time in the schools and calculated that 75 percent of his annual cost is roughly $90,000. Thurman would like to see the school district contribute half of this? $45,000.
‘We will renegotiate with the school district this summer,? she said. ‘We hope they can find $40,000 like they did this year… We will contribute to half of the officer’s time spent in the schools. If they don’t come up with the other half, we will use him other places in the community.?
McMahon was not immediately available for comment.
Burkett said that for next school year, whatever the district is able to contribute will dictate how much time the liaison will spend at the schools. For now, he is pleased they have come to an agreement for the rest of this school year.
‘It’s such an important part of law enforcement in any community,? Burkett said. ‘He has a big impact in the schools and in the community.?
Terrell is currently on medical leave and is expected to return to work Feb. 2. He will be the liaison officer through the end of the year, but it is unknown whether he will return as school liaison next year, Burkett said, since the OCSO changes officers? positions frequently.