Now that Lt. Col. Bruce Jordan has been rebuffed by the Fayette County

Commission in his efforts to hire another school resource officer, he's

focusing his efforts on the Fayette County Board of Education.

The Sheriff's Department official had asked the County Commission

to hire another resource office to supervise the existing officers in

the schools. Jordan also said the new resource officer could also act

as a "back-up" when a school resource officer was at another

school.

But the County Commission refused Jordan's request and said their

agreement with the school board was for placing a resource officer at

each school, which is what they have done.

During the budget hearings, Jordan said he would pay for the uniform

costs for the new officer out of his drug funds budget. He said he was

misunderstood and that the County Commission thought he indicated he

would pay the salary for the officer out of drug funds.

"It would be a violation of guidelines. We just can't get

the commission to comprehend you can't use drug funds for salaries," he

said.

Jordan said he is in talks with school officials about hiring another

resource officer. But since the board's budget has already been

set for this year, Jordan said the hiring may have to wait until next

year. If the Board of Education can find a way to fund the officer, Jordan

would be pleased.

"This is definitely a position we need," he said.

Home | News | Sports | Opinion | Weekend | Special Sections | Classifieds | Archives

Copyright 2004-Fayette Publishing, Inc.