By Frank Phillips
DLC Media News
Brazil-The first three police officers in the Clay Community Schools Police Department were approved at Thursday’s meeting of the school board of trustees. Police Chief Josh Clarke introduced James Archer, Troy Cobb and Jason Frazier, who were unanimously approved.
James Archer, Troy Cobb and Jason Frazier are introduced as new school police officers at the school board meeting.
Uniforms with appropriate patches and badges have been ordered. Clarke and each officer will carry 9 mm pistols but Clarke emphasized the number one priority for the school police will be safety. Another priority is to build relationships with school children by spending as much time as possible with the children.
“We’re not the enforcers, we’re there as role models,” Clarke told the school board of trustees.
In addition to hiring the first three officers, the board approved a nearly 400 page standard operating procedure manual that has been developed with other police departments and was written by a consultant.
Superintendent Jeff Fritz described the document as a working document that will be revised as necessary.
The school board also approved agreements between the school police department, the Clay County Sheriff’s Department and the Brazil Police Department which will give the school police officers access to the state IDACS system, a police database.
Chief Clarke was commended for his work in organizing the department in the past 60 days by Superintendent Fritz and members of the board.
“Josh has done a tremendous job,” said Superintendent Fritz.
The schools police department began organization 60 days ago, Chief Clarke said.
In other business before the board:
+The superintendent commended Clay City High School for winning the Indiana State Athletic Association Sportsmanship Award for eight years in a row. He said CCHS is one of only two schools in the state to achieve that record.
+John Szabo presented the Clay Community Schools annual financial report, comparing 2021 with 2022.
The Education Fund balance increased from $7.6 million to $8 million in one year.
The Education Fund pays for all education related expenses, including salaries and purchases, he said.
The total corporation balance increased from $20.9 million to $21.6 million from Dec. 31, 2021 to Dec. 31, 2022.
Having a healthy cash balance means education expenses will be paid, regardless of tax revenue received from the State of Indiana, Szabo said.
Meanwhile the school budget increased less than 1 percent since last year.
+Building Trades will be getting a new pole building with classroom and work space to be built in the subdivision on Pinckley Street in Brazil where classes have built houses the past several years.
Mr. Fritz said, “This is really needed.”
The 40- by 60-foot building is estimated to cost $80,000. A trailer is currently being rented for $12,000 per year and it needs to be replaced. A new trailer would cost $120,000, Fritz said.
+A $4,700 gift from Ironhorse Detailing for new seating at Cay City High School was accepted.
The gift was one of many from Ironhorse Detailing to CCHS over the years, said Board President Tom Reberger.
+Dianna Knox and Leslie Cesinger presented an update on their work with technology as Instructional Specialists.
The next public meeting of the school board of trustees is set for 7 p.m., March 9, in the school administration building off South Forest Avenue.