The Bath School Board Wants To Pursue The Idea of Having A Law Enforcement Officer In Bath Schools

Warm Springs, VA – The Bath School Board is in favor of pursuing the idea of having a law enforcement officer in the Bath School system. At Tuesday night’s Bath School Board meeting, Bath County Sheriff Robert Plecker discussed with the Board his idea of placing a School Resource Officer, or SRO, in the school system. The SRO would be a member of local law enforcement who would work with the school system, but report to the Sheriff.

The officer would be on campus during school hours and during school events. The officer would also spend time at all three schools. The SRO would interact daily with students, serve as a role model and be a law related educator. Sheriff Plecker explained that the SRO would not override school administration. The officer’s involvement in a situation would only be what administration asks.

Sheriff Plecker said that this position would bring another officer to the county, who would work patrol in the summer when school is out. He added that he felt school personnel should be involved in the hiring process and he felt that the salary would fall under his budget. School Board members endorsed Sheriff Plecker moving forward with his idea, which he will discuss next with the Board of Supervisors.

The Board also heard an update from Steve Shaver, on behalf of the Athletic Booster Club, on the girls’ softball field that’s under construction at the high school. The Athletic Booster Club has been organizing the project and Shaver reported that excavation is almost done. He also said there are hopes that the team will be able to play a game or two on the new field this year.

Bath County High School Principal Sarah Rowe added that the Booster Club is working on just the field now. She said the next phase of construction will be adding handicapped access and access to parking and restrooms. She said those plans will need to be fine tuned.

Also on Tuesday night, the Board approved a summer four day work week for twelve month employees. The four day work week has been in place for several years and the Board voted to continue it each year as part of the annual schedule. The summer four day work week runs June 11 through August 3.

It was announced that Millboro Elementary teacher and reading specialist Kim Lancaster has been elected as Vice President of the Virginia State Reading Association. And also on Tuesday night, the Board approved the licensed professional staff for 2012-13 and also appointed Rachel Suter as a long term substitute teacher.

Tuesday night’s meeting was the first paperless meeting of the School Board. Agendas and information for meetings are now viewed by Board members on laptops and the information is projected onto a screen for those in attendance.