School resource officer back on the job thanks to grant
By Sharon Haught
August 2, 2011
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For more than a decade, Wooster police officer Ken Linz has walked one of the most unusual beats in the city.
Rather than patrolling the streets of Wooster in a cruiser, Linz makes his way through the halls of Wooster High School as the Wooster City School Districts Resource Officer.
As the districts school resource officer Linz focused his attention on tackling the problem of truancy by working closely with parents and students to positively impact school attendance rates. He also led the districts successful D.A.R.E. anti-drug program.
A fixture in the halls of Wooster High School, Linz has been a trusted adult students could turn to for help and was able to handle many issues that would otherwise go unreported or unsolved.
Earlier this summer, it appeared all that was about to change and the veteran officer would be returning to the streets of Wooster as a patrolman.
During the board of educations mid-July work session, Superintendent Michael Tefs informed the members of the board that the money simply wasnt there to continue the long-standing contract service arrangement under which the Wooster Police Department provided a school resource officer to the district.
Tefs noted that the position was originally funded by a federal grant, but that over time, the amount of the grant had been gradually reduced, forcing the districts general fund to pick up the difference. By the 2010-2011 school year, the grant funds were completely gone.
According to Tefs, within days of notifying the police department of the districts decision to discontinue the program, a grant opportunity came across his desk in the form of a federal Safe and Drug Free Schools Sustainability Grant.
I have to publicly commend and applaud our Assistant Treasurer Karen Bell, Director of Elementary Education Mark Stefanik and Director of Secondary Education Rich Leone who sequestered themselves in our conference room and wrote a grant and secured $50,000. We now have dollars to replace our school resource officer at Wooster High School, Tefs advised the members of the board during their July 26 regular session.
Tefs noted that just over two weeks elapsed from the time he became aware of the grant opportunity until the time the district was informed by the federal government that its application had been approved.
This just doesnt happen. Three people got together and made it happen, said Tefs of the central office staffs efforts.
Unfortunately, its not a commitment longer than a year, but weve taken care of fiscal year 2012 and in September we will start monitoring the grant skies and we will be prepared to go after a grant for fiscal year 2013 just like weve done this year, Tefs added.
Tefs noted that he expects to bring the formal memorandum of understanding that fully defines the partnership between the Wooster City School District and the Wooster Police Department before the board for their approval at their August meeting.
Were super excited about the opportunity, said Tefs adding, I think its going to be a great addition to our high school.
While the Wooster Police Department ultimately makes the decision as to which officer is assigned as the school resource officer for the district, Wooster Police Chief Matt Fisher was pleased to confirm that Linz will be returning to the position this fall.
