Central Valley Schools Will Get Two Deputies

Thu., June 29, 2000

By Lorie Hutson lorieh@spokesman.com (509) 459-5446

Starting next January, there will be at least two new faces in the Central Valley schools.

The school board this week approved an agreement with the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office to place two deputies in the Central Valley School District. The officers will be stationed at Central Valley High and University High, but they will serve all the district schools.

Spokane County received $750,000 from the U.S. Department of Justice earlier this year to hire six deputies in Spokane area schools for four years.

However, the Spokane Valley districts were having a difficult time finding enough money to match the grant after the state Office of Public Instruction turned down a joint application from Central, East and West Valley school districts earlier this year.

Jay Walter, head of the Central Valley School District’s safety committee, said a blend of state and local money will be used to match the federal grant, including funding from the state superintendent’s office and Spokane County.

“This agreement will provide a valuable connection between the school district and sheriff’s department, allowing both agencies to continue to promote safety in our schools,” Walter said.

The deputies will help keep the schools safe and secure during the day and at after-school events; advise administrators; investigate any crimes; and also serve as a mentor to students. The officers also will covering neighborhoods surrounding the schools.

County commissioners also approved the agreement this week.

Walter said Central Valley hopes to have enough money to keep the officers in the schools after grants for this program expire at the end of December 2002.

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