Police seeking grant to keep Ottawa school resource officer

Ottawa Police Chief Dennis Butler hopes he has a way to keep a school resource officer in the Ottawa schools.

“We have more opportunities for grants this year than we normally do,” Butler told city commissioners Monday.

One grant opportunity available from the state is to prevent the elimination of positions — like the school resource officer — because of a lack of funding.

Butler said the grant would be for two years and would cover salary and benefits for the officer.

After two years, it’s possible the position could be terminated, he said.

“We can’t predict in two years what funding is going to be like,” he said.

Superintendent Dean Katt said school officials are excited about the grant opportunity.

“We’re crossing our fingers,” he said. “Obviously, we would be very excited to have that go through.”

Having the officer without having to fund the position would be a plus for the district, Katt said.

“The best part is that it wouldn’t cost the district anything for those two years,” he said.

After the two years, Katt hopes funding is available to keep the position.

“There’s no guarantee, but that’s our hope,” he said.

Butler said he should know by July whether the city would receive funds.

In late April, the school resource position was one of about 15 Ottawa teachers and staff members that resigned or were eliminated in light of budget cuts from the state.

Police officer Rick Howard has been the Ottawa School District’s school resource officer for the past nine years.

The school district had been reimbursing the city about $60,000 a year for the position.

Jenalea Myers can be e-mailed at jmyers@ottawaherald.com.