FOUNTAIN SPRINGS - The North Schuylkill School District and Butler Township have renewed their agreement for the township to provide police officers as security during the school day.
The agreement was unanimously approved at the Aug. 14 school board meeting. Butler Township police began providing security services during the 2012-2013 school year.
There are three officers in the schools equating to two full-time people, said district Superintendent Andrew D. Smarkanic.
Smarkanic said the arrangement between the district and township has worked well. Previously, the school district has retired personnel from law enforcement and correctional facilities, but now the township assigns part-time police officers on its roster to cover at the school.
Asked if a difference can be seen having police officers as security, Smarkanic said, "I see a different tenor in the building, not only from the students, but also from the people walking in the building. I think they notice that more in the elementary school than here (high school). It's a more calm and relaxed feeling when you walk in."
The police officers remain as township employees, with the school district reimbursing the township for the hours worked at the officer's pay rate and any applicable taxes, such as Social Security.