Second officer coming to HC schools

The Hickman County Board of Education met in special session July 12 at 5 p.m. in Clinton, as Chairman Kyle told board members, “Due to where we are in the budget, we need to create a new position for a security officer at the elementary school.” The district currently has one officer who travels between the two schools.
Hicks added, “Anyone could easily watch and pattern Danny’s (special law enforcement officer) routine.”

Henderson agreed and added, “Our job is to make it as difficult as possible for someone to do something.”

Templeton asked if the county would be willing to help cover a portion of the cost of the salary for the second officer.

Wilson said the county currently reimburses the school district for half of Danny Carr’s salary.

Henderson said, “We already have a great relationship with the county and I do not mind starting that conversation.”

“I think it (adding a second officer) is a good idea,” Dodson said, “I don’t know how long it would take Danny to get from one school to the other, but in that amount of time, it could already be over.”

“I like the relationships that are built with the students,” Johnson said, “I think it is a proactive approach.”

Henderson said that the addition of a full time officer at the elementary school would allow for less traffic into the school.

Templeton suggested a periodic rotation between the two special law enforcement officer to provide different perspectives of each school.
Kyle said, “We have an opportunity to do some things and I think that we need to do it for the safety of our students and our staff.”

The board voted to create a second special law enforcement officer position.

Henderson updated board members on the plans for the construction project at both schools. Final plans will be presented for approval at the meeting later this month. Henderson said that he anticipates the need for a special called meeting in August to open bids from contractors, and for construction to begin in September.

Present at the meeting were Superintendent Casey Henderson, Jan Johnson, Kim Wilson, board members Allen Kyle, Martie Templeton, Matt Hicks, and Thomas Dodson.

With no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned and the next meeting scheduled for July 24 at 7 p.m.