Township Committee Passes School Officer Plan

A resolution passed Thursday by the Township Committee authorizes a Warren Township police officer to be assigned to Watchung Hills Regional High School for the upcoming school year.

The agreement between the township and school district paves the way for a School Resource Officer to remain on the school campus after earlier concerns the position may have to be abandoned due to budget cuts.

But the school district included $100,000 to fund the position in the 2011-2012 school budget, and this week's agreement binds the township to provide the officer with the district reimbursing the township $100,000.

Township Administrator Mark Krane noted the reimbursement is not intended to cover the officer's full salary and benefits costs, since the SRO post is concurrent with the 10-month school year, starting Sept. 1 and ending June 30, 2012.

The agreement has some matters still being finalized by attorneys for the town ship and school district, and is contingent on approval by the WHRHS Board of Education at its meeting scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday at the high school library.