Schools To Hire Guards Despite Funding Glitch

State money to help fund security guards in the Spokane Valley’s high schools did not come through, but the school districts are not deterred.

Security personnel will be in place near the start of school, administrators say.

East Valley, West Valley and Central Valley school districts joined together to apply for a $75,000 grant from the Superintendent of Public Instruction’s Office.

Although the grant did not come through, security is a priority among Valley school districts this year. All three districts plan to fund the positions with their own budgets while applying for more grants.

“We’re going to keep hammering away at other grant areas,” said Chuck Stocker, superintendent of East Valley School District.

The superintendents also have been talking with representatives from Valley Hospital and Medical Center and its parent company, Empire Health Services, about help funding their security programs, Stocker said.

East Valley anticipates employing two security supervisors at the high school, one from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., the other from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Those positions should cost the district a total of $40,000, Stocker said.

The guards will supervise the campus, including parking lots, lunch rooms and restrooms.

“They’re really going to be kind of an eyes and ears,” Stocker said. Sheriff’s deputies still will be called to make arrests, he added.

West Valley School District received a separate grant for $22,750 for its security program. The district has another application for a $25,000 grant pending.

West Valley has not nailed down the particulars of its security program. The district wants first to hear what the public has to say. The district plans to hold a public meeting Aug. 30 at 6:30 p.m. at the high school to discuss safety issues and the job description for the security guard.

Central Valley has budgeted $100,000 for two security officers, one at University and one at Central Valley high school. The positions will cost the district $35,000 apiece. The additional $30,000 will pay for start up costs, such as training, said Wally Stanley, the acting superintendent.

Central Valley’s officers will supervise the halls and grounds, inform administrators of potential problems and assist in investigations.

, DataTimes