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]