Trustees unanimously approved district participation in a partnership with the Hollister Police Department and the City of Hollister to use grant funds to bring a school resource officer to the schools.
The federal Community Oriented Policing Services grant will provide $125,000 over three years to offset the salary and benefits of the officer. The Hollister School District and the City of Hollister will split the other costs 50-50. The city will also provide the patrol car and equipment for the officer.
“I think it helps bridge the gap in all levels, administration to staff and even the children,” said Trustee Ben Flores. “I think most of the time they’re told police officers are bad man and they’re there to take their mommies and daddies and that’s never a good thing.”
The current student resource officer position—partially funded with grant money—will expire mid-year next school year. The decision last week brings a second officer to the district for a brief period, meaning more staff members to visit the school sites.
“I think–ideally—we love the idea of having two officers serving our district,” McIntire said. “Our principals are constantly coming across very difficult matters that they have to deal with—everything from weapons and substance abuse. You name it, they come across it.”
