Eastmont School Board Considering Adding a School Resource Officer

The Eastmont School Board was presented a proposal Monday evening by East Wenatchee Police Chief Rick Johnson regarding the potential addition of a School Resource Officer.

Superintendent Garn Christensen said it's been a couple years since the last proposal. While SROs used to be funded almost 100% by federal dollars, as resources got tighter local and state money has had to fill in the gap.

"It's a decision you have to make when you balance 'Is an SRO and an officer on campus more helpful than a school counselor or an assistant principle or two more teachers?'" stated Christensen, "The costs are similar to the price for an assistant principal when you add up the benefits and the wages that are required to have a competitive package for those individuals."

Christensen added that Eastmont is already very fortunate that any time they need law enforcement both the police and Douglas County Sheriff's Office are just minutes away.

Mayor Jerrilea Crawford was also in attendance. The board did not make a decision during the meeting and instead asked for more information regarding SROs.