School district and borough officials in Quakertown are making headway with placing a permanent police officer in the district's high school.

                During its meeting Monday night, borough council members discussed at length the partnership with school district administrators regarding a school resource officer (SRO) as early as September 2015.

                The SRO program has been in use for a number of years throughout the U.S. but is on the rise due to increased episodes of school violence.

                The overall need for an SRO in Quakertown's school district is that of providing added safety to the students and staff but also to provide law enforcement education, officials said. Although the SRO will call the high school his/her home, he/she will travel to other schools throughout the district to establish a rapport with younger children and provide police education.

                "This is a big step forward for us and the school district," council president Jim Roberts said, "Some of us have met with school officials and a deal is close at hand."

                Currently both parties are working towards a mutual agreement regarding the contractual SRO position. A memo of understanding has been drafted and is pending approval from the borough's manager and solicitor. A final vote of approval is planned for Wed., May 6.

                Once the details are ironed out and the contract approved, the process will move swiftly, borough manager Scott McElree said.

                "We've been discussing this for a while and we want to partner with the school. However, we want to make sure all cost isn't on the borough alone," said councilman Don Rosenberger.

                Borough officials plan to move a current police officer to an office space within the high school building nine months out of the year but will need to hire a replacement officer.

                According to McElree, grant money has already been approved for an SRO totaling $90,000 and would be awarded to the school district to help offset their costs.

                The salary and benefits of the SRO will be paid by the borough as the position will be under the responsibilities of the chief of police. The total cost to the borough for the SRO over a 5-year period is $640,000 which includes salary,  holidays, education, Medicare, worker's compensation, pension and medical, dental, and life insurance as well as disability. The school district will reimburse up to 75 percent of the cost through quarterly payments, Rosenberger explained.

                The contract will follow a 5-year time period with the plan to have the same officer complete a term of 3 years. The 5-year contract essentially binds both parties and can only be terminated mutually.                                        A patrol car will also be provided and, according to Rosenberger, there is currently an extra vehicle available.

                Councilman Mike Johnson added, "This is opening new channels that we didn't have before. This will really open the line of communication."

                McElree explained that an understanding between the workings of the SRO and school staff will be established through working relationships and how each entity wants to operate.

                School district superintendent Dr. Bill Harner was present for the meeting and said, "We are grateful to council for considering the position. I've worked with SROs previously in the other school districts and it really is the greatest program for school safety. Thank you very much."

                Harner added that he perceives the SRO being on the high school campus 90 to 95 percent of the time, with the remainder being spent teaching and familiarizing themselves with the students.

                A final vote from borough council members is planned for Wed., May 6 and approval by the school board is expected Thurs., May 7.