Pubdate: Wed, 26 Apr 2006
Source: Kamloops This Week (CN BC)
Copyright: 2006 Kamloops This Week
Contact:  http://www.kamloopsthisweek.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1271
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?135 (Drug Education)

COP TO STAY IN SCHOOLS

It is not typical for a school board to pay for a police officer, but  
School District 73 has been for the past two years.

Next year, however, it will no longer carry that burden.

For the 2006-2007 school year, the Kamloops RCMP detachment will take  
over responsibility for the school liaison officer program.

"The RCMP have agreed to maintain the program now, and pay for it  
with their funding," said assistant superintendent Karl deBruijn.

The school board had budgeted $108,000 to continue the position for  
another year, but will use that money for other "educational things."

Recent cost-cutting in the district has been the result of  
dramatically declining enrolment and has left uncertainty around  
programming and staffing. The RCMP funding will ensure a longer life  
for the liaison program and release district funds for school-based  
proposals.

Const. Connie Buckle has occupied the position, but will be  
redeployed at the end of this school year.

A replacement has not been determined, but it is expected the  
position will continue in the same manner as before, with one main  
liaison officer supporting youth drug and alcohol initiatives and  
other school safety issues.

"We've seen a real improvement in many things," said deBruijn.

[REMAINDER OF ARTICLE NOT RELEVANT TO DRUG POLICY AND NOT ARCHIVED]
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