H-BC agrees to school resource officer

Hills-Beaver Creek School Board agreed to a pairing that provides a school resource officer to the district at least one day a week.
The board made the decision Monday night after a presentation about the new position by Rock County Sheriff Evan Verbrugge.
H-BC will pair with the Rock County Sheriff’s Office, Luverne Public Schools and the city of Luverne for the new position.
Total estimated costs for the new peace officer, equipment and vehicle is $100,000.
H-BC’s cost is estimated at $5,900 per year.
“I am supportive of this,” said board member Renee Knobloch. “I love this idea.”
The board voted 6-0 to participate in the school resource officer program. Member Tim Bosch was not at the meeting.
Verbrugge said job duties for the officer are still being determined.
With the H-BC board agreeing to participate, a representative will help determine how the new officer would be used in the district.
During the summer, Verbrugge said the officer will be a deputy on the force and complete regular patrol duties in the county.
“I think this is a great positive for everyone involved at an affordable cost,” he said.
However, the hiring and training of a new officer would delay the work of the school resource officer until early next year.
County commissioners approved posting the SRO internally first at the July 6 meeting.
“We can always go to the outside,” said Commissioner Greg Burger.
 
In other business, the H-BC school board:
•hired Courtney Kruger as assistant volleyball coach at $3,460 and Nicole Moray as special needs paraprofessional at $18.25 per hour.
•approved a $1,000 salary increase to building and grounds director Dalton Bass for the 2021-2022 school year. His salary is $51,000.