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] - --- MAP posted-by: Jackl