Clark County -- Added security is headed to Clark County during a time when schools are increasingly targets for violence.
Clark County Commissioners voted 2 to 1 to hire more deputies to patrol the county schools. The officers are part of the Educational Support Officers program starting on June 1 by the Clark County Sheriff's Office.
Sheriff Gene Kelly says it's a win-win for the schools and the community.
"They're going to work with the schools, the staff, we're going to work on security throughout the entire system. The building and we're going to work with neighborhoods too, if people see something we want them to say something" said Sheriff Kelly.
The idea was generated by Commissioner Rick Lohnes to provide more protection to children inside the classroom.
The two new deputies will cost the county an additional $188,000.
Sandra Harris has grandchildren in Clark County schools and often worries about their safety.
"With everything happening today and all the guns that are out there," said Harris.
Recently, she feels more at ease knowing the Clark County commissioners approved the hiring of two new deputies.
"Rather than have another Sandy hook go on, anybody would pay any amount of money to get their child back," Harris explained.
The program is backed by Lohnes and Commissioner John Detrick. Lohnes said the new deputies salaries will total $120,000 for the first year and equipment like uniforms and cruisers will be $68,000.
However, there are concerns of whether the county can afford something like this.
"Clark County can definitely afford it we're going to have the final decision in June, the preliminary budget looks very good," said Commissioner Detrick.
Commissioner David Hartley did not vote in favor of the recommendation.
The deputies are scheduled to be in place by the beginning of the 2013 school year.
"We are being proactive to protect our most important asset our young people," said Detrick.
At the end of the next school year, commissioners will meet with principals to see if the added security work, and then will evaluate whether to approve the deputies for the next school year.
Clark County Commissioners voted 2 to 1 to hire more deputies to patrol the county schools. The officers are part of the Educational Support Officers program starting on June 1 by the Clark County Sheriff's Office.
Sheriff Gene Kelly says it's a win-win for the schools and the community.
"They're going to work with the schools, the staff, we're going to work on security throughout the entire system. The building and we're going to work with neighborhoods too, if people see something we want them to say something" said Sheriff Kelly.
The idea was generated by Commissioner Rick Lohnes to provide more protection to children inside the classroom.
The two new deputies will cost the county an additional $188,000.
Sandra Harris has grandchildren in Clark County schools and often worries about their safety.
"With everything happening today and all the guns that are out there," said Harris.
Recently, she feels more at ease knowing the Clark County commissioners approved the hiring of two new deputies.
"Rather than have another Sandy hook go on, anybody would pay any amount of money to get their child back," Harris explained.
The program is backed by Lohnes and Commissioner John Detrick. Lohnes said the new deputies salaries will total $120,000 for the first year and equipment like uniforms and cruisers will be $68,000.
However, there are concerns of whether the county can afford something like this.
"Clark County can definitely afford it we're going to have the final decision in June, the preliminary budget looks very good," said Commissioner Detrick.
Commissioner David Hartley did not vote in favor of the recommendation.
The deputies are scheduled to be in place by the beginning of the 2013 school year.
"We are being proactive to protect our most important asset our young people," said Detrick.
At the end of the next school year, commissioners will meet with principals to see if the added security work, and then will evaluate whether to approve the deputies for the next school year.
