CHENANGO COUNTY – Countering cutbacks outlined in the Governor’s state budget proposal that would remove state troopers from schools, the Senate majority will take action on a comprehensive plan to “enhance school safety and ensure the well-being of millions of children across the state,” it was annnounced last week.
Following a recent public hearing where state troopers made a case to keep the school resource officer program available to over 100 school districts state-wide, the Senate has stated it will do what it can to restore the program and continue to look for funding to keep children in New York safe.
Area school districts – Otselic Valley, Oxford, Greene, Sherburne-Earlville and Unadilla Valley – currently receive aid from the New York State Police with the School Resource Officer (SRO) program as well as funding to ensure new district employees have background checks.
Unadilla Valley Superintendent Robert Mackey said, “ The program is invaluable to schools and communities and every effort should be made to maintain that.” He called the Senate’s action “good news” and said he hoped the Assembly would follow suit.
The Senate’s three-prong plan, which will be voted on this week, includes:
• Rejecting the Governor’s budget proposal to remove 92 officers from school buildings.
• Restoring funding for the State Education Department’s Office of School Personnel Review that conducts criminal background checks on school employees.
• Passing omnibus legislation sponsored by Senator Dale Volker (R-C-I, Depew) to combat the increasing concern of child pornography, Internet predators and the sexual exploitation of children as outlined in the child sexual abuse and exploitation prevention act 2008.
According to various senators, the option of removing the SRO’s from the districts should not be an option at all.
“The school resource officer program has saved children’s lives and is a critical component of the Senate’s plan to ensure the safety and security of children across the state. It is unconscionable that Governor Spitzer would attempt to eliminate this successful program and gamble with our children’s lives,” said Chairman of the Senate crime victims, crime and correction committee, Michael Nozzolio, (R-C Fayette).
Employee misconduct also raises concern with members of the Senate, a press release states. Senator Steve Saland (R-I-C Poughkeepsie) says he was “astounded” the governor had reduced funding for the investigation of allegations of misconduct by school employees.
In 2000, the Senate approved legislation that required all prospective school employees to be fingerprinted and undergo FBI background checks and required districts to contact law enforcement officials about employee misconduct.
It was reported last year, nearly 1,400 applicants were denied jobs to work in school settings and the numbers of employees showing criminal misconduct had doubled.
Former Governor Spitzer also proposed cutting the funding that pays for fingerprinting. It is reported that the Senate will try to restore that money – $425,000 – while also providing $600,000 for staffing and resources to resolve the backlog of cases.
Greene Superintendent Gary Smith says the SRO program provides a level of safety to the district and that the presence of the SRO in the building has helped lessen student misbehavior and has helped keep kids in school.
“His presence is essential,” he said. Smith has written to local Assemblymen and Senators as well as the Governor to express his concern regarding the safety of his students.