Challenger K-8 To Lose Resource Officer

Challenger K-8 School will lose its school resource officer after all.

The school board at its regular meeting Tuesday night voted against a revision to the agreement with the Hernando County Sheriff's Office to place an officer at Challenger for the remainder of this school year. The measure failed on a 2-3 vote.

Back in September, board members said they would consider footing the bill for the resource officer at Challenger even though the school logs few incidents.

But board members on Tuesday balked at the $70,075 cost quoted by the sheriff's office. That price is $11,475 higher than the district expected, Jim Knight, director of student services, told the board. Higher salary and insurance costs were the reason for the increase, Knight said.

The money would have come from the district's general revenue fund.

School board members questioned the need for the officer at Challenger, which has had seven arrests since 2006.

Board members Pat Fagan and Dianne Bonfield voted for the revision. Bonfield has argued that resource officers play an important role at schools beyond policing the student body. But board member Jim Malcolm said the money might be better spent to place crossing guards at dangerous intersections.

In other action, the board approved:

•A contract with CareerStaff Unlimited Inc. to provide physical therapy services to district students. The contract amount is $450,000 and will be used on an as-needed basis.

•A revision to its policy on disciplinary hearings for employees. Under the revised policy, only those cases where termination has been recommended by the superintendent will be referred to the state's Division of Administrative Hearings. The school board will hear any cases involving suspension without pay.

•The purchase and installation of walkway covers for West Hernando Middle School at a cost of $61,245.

•A fireworks display for Springstead High School's homecoming celebration. The student council will pay for the $4,300 display.