Brooke County PRO get raise

WELLSBURG - Brooke County commissioners on Tuesday approved a pay increase for the prevention resource officers at Follansbee Middle School and Brooke High School, and discussed the need for an officer in Wellsburg Middle School.

Deputy John M. White, PRO officer at Brooke High School, wrote a letter of request for an increase in pay for himself and Lt. Kevin Heck, who stationed at Follansbee Middle School. The letter requested the increase be permitted through the Juvenile Accountability Block Grant to reflect changes as of July 1, 2009.

Commissioner Bernie Kazienko on Tuesday distributed a copy of the request to Sheriff Rich Ferguson during the commission meeting. Ferguson did not say whether or not the pay increase would affect his budget.

Commissioners also discussed the hiring of a third PRO officer for Wellsburg Middle School. Commissioner Marty Bartz stated he would like a meeting with Ferguson and the other commissioners regarding the matter.

"It's needed, and we aren't doing anything about it," said Bartz.

Bartz said he was not sure if the Brooke County Board of Education would be willing to share some of the costs for the officer, but stated he would discuss it at Monday's board of education meeting. Ferguson said it was the hope that with each PRO officer, the cities in which they are located would assist in the costs as well.

Bartz stated the Brooke County Sheriff's Department is hiring a deputy, based on the approval of the Brooke County Commission, and asked why that officer couldn't be stationed in Wellsburg Middle. Ferguson said those selected to be PRO officers have other duties and are not "street officers." He said they teach classes and are an advocate for students.

"Trust me, these kids need resources," said Ferguson.

Bartz asked if the PRO officer in Follansbee Middle School could split his duties between there and Wellsburg Middle School. He suggested the officer be at Follansbee on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

"It's better than nothing," he said.

Ferguson said that would not be permitted. He stated when a PRO officer is placed at a school, that is their assigned school and they cannot go from one to the other. Ferguson stated he would continue to look for grants to assist in placing an officer at Wellsburg Middle School.

Bartz assured the commission he would speak with the Brooke County Board of Education as well and discuss it with the commissioners and sheriff at a meeting on Tuesday prior to the Brooke County commissioners' meeting.

(Dickson can be contacted at adickson@yahoo.com.)