Since early 2014, Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. has financially supported two police officers to provide an important presence at two main high schools, as well as other middle and elementary schools.
The resource officers, both from Columbus Police Department, have a variety of duties, such as:
Provide law enforcement services
Prevent juvenile delinquency
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Help school administrators maintain a safe environment
Build relationships with staff and students
Aid in conflict resolution
Serve as a positive role model
Julie Quesenbery is assigned to Columbus East and Eric Stevens to Columbus North.
The school corporation reimburses CPD $61,530 annually in salary and benefits for the officers. That’s been a great arrangement and addition, adding an extra layer of security for students and staff — important nowadays with school shootings occurring too often — and fostering positive relationships between youths and law enforcement.
So it was heartening to hear when Bartholomew Consolidated planned to support a third resource officer, and Flat Rock-Hawcreek School Corp. planned add its first resource officer.
Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Teancum Clark will serve county schools within Bartholomew Consolidated, including Southside, Mt. Healthy and Taylorsville elementary schools.
Deputy Jessica Pendleton will serve Hauser Jr.-Sr. High School and Hope Elementary.
Both started at their schools when classes resumed this semester.
What was also welcoming news was the Bartholomew County Council’s agreement to partially fund the position for Flat Rock-Hawcreek, which with a much smaller student population can fund only $45,000 of the salary. The council agreed to pay the remaining $16,500 one time, through 2019, giving the school corporation additional time to seek grants to pick up the remainder in the future.
The additional resource officers ensure that a police presence is evident at all of Bartholomew County’s public schools — something that is needed and that should be reassuring for parents.
We consider these moves good investments.
