CV Approves Plan for School Resource Officers

The Chartiers Valley School Board has agreed to security contracts with Scott and Collier townships, meaning a school resource officer will be patrolling the three campuses beginning Feb. 1.

Both townships also approved the agreements with the school district after numerous meetings and discussions over the past month.

The program will put one school resource police officer provided by Scott Township at the intermediate school and two officers provided by Collier Township splitting duties between the middle/high school and primary school campuses. The school district will fund the two-year program before all sides re-evaluate it again in December 2014.

“I think the best part is that the school district and municipalities are working well together and all are onboard,” Chartiers Valley Superintendent Brian White Jr. said. “And that’s very good for everyone involved.”

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The school board unanimously approved the agreement during its Tuesday night voting meeting. The Scott Township commissioners also approved it during their Tuesday night meeting, while Collier Township officials agreed to the contract last week.

“I think it’s a good mix,” Scott Township Board President Tom Castello said. “He will not be a disciplinarian sitting in the school monitoring criminal activity. There is a whole program.”

The school resource officers will be implementing various education programs for the students and provide feedback to the school district about building security. They will be under the direction of the police chiefs and will be able to work neighborhood patrols during summer vacation and school in-service days.

Scott Township hired Edward Povirk as their school resource officer for the intermediate school. He spent 21 years with the Scott Township Police Department–including 10 years as the D.A.R.E officer–before retiring in 2005.

“He’s a really good fit for this position,” Scott Commissioner David Jason said.

Scott police Chief Jim Secreet said he will need to be recertified and will likely begin working at the intermediate school in mid-February. Until then, another police officer in the department will begin the detail on Feb. 1.

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