Macedonia offers incentive to attract school resource officer
MACEDONIA – In an attempt to make the position of school resource officer more attractive, City Council approved a part-time SRO position Sept. 8, with health care insurance benefits offered as if the person is a full-time employee.
Council set the part-time, non-union position at paygrade 8 ($17.64 to $32.41 per hour) and amended the ordinance regarding benefits so the SRO is eligible to participate in the city’s health care insurance program.
A seventh subsection was added to the benefits ordinance. It allows the part-time SRO to be treated as a full-time employee for the purpose of participating in the health care program without being subject to restrictions spelled out in other subsections.
Police Chief Jon Golden said the city has found it difficult to find people interested in the position, and he hopes the legislation will encourage more people to apply.
The job description says the position’s purpose is to ensure a safe learning atmosphere in the schools and deter misconduct “by remaining highly visible in the halls, cafeteria and gymnasium.”
Among other things, the SRO serves as a role model to students, counsels students daily on safety topics, performs security checks on campuses, assists the administration with troublemakers and investigates and reports on crimes and complaints.
Applicants must have at least a high school diploma, be certified by the Ohio Police Officers Training Council, pass certain tests, have a valid Ohio driver’s license, be on call 24/7 and be qualified in other respects.
Anyone interested in obtaining a full list of qualifications or applying can stop in at the police station in the Municipal Center or call 330-468-1234.
OTHER BUSINESS
Tax Increment Financing agreements for Optima Dermatology, Space Place and The Wave Car Wash went to third reading. The arrangements dedicate tax increments within a defined district to finance the debt issued to pay for infrastructure projects.
The TIF agreements designate improvements at the three properties as a public purpose and allow the city to use service payments from the firms to improve the sites and nearby city roads.
Optima Dermatology is being built on Golden Link Boulevard off Route 8, Space Place is between North Freeway Drive and the Norfolk Southern Railroad tracks and the car wash will be between KFC and the Key Inn.
Meanwhile, IT manager Kyle Collins reported the city’s new website should go online Sept. 27. “This has been a long-time project and Kyle has put a lot of hard work into it,” said Mayor Nick Molnar.
Fire Chief Brian Ripley reported hydrant flushing has been completed in the city, but is still ongoing in the townships. He said he hopes the new ambulance will arrive by the end of the year, and the new pumper truck will not be ready until sometime in 2023.
Service director Daniel Wilson said leaf collection will start about mid-October, while Golden reported a photo taken by one of the city’s Flock cameras recently provided a license plate number which led to the arrest of a suspect in a breaking and entering.
Parks-recreation director Jason Chadock invited area residents to the fall festival Sept. 17 from 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Longwood Park. He said there will be food trucks, craft beer, music and activities for adults and children.
Councilman Vinnie Ventura informed senior citizens that they can get a $1 per month discount on their trash/recycling service by checking information posted on the city’s website.
Council president Jessica Brandt announced Council’s first 2023 budget discussion will be Sept. 22 at 5:30 p.m. prior to Council’s next session.
Council clerk Jon Hoover reported three residents recently sent in letters urging the city to allow residents to discharge fireworks under Ohio’s new law which permits that on certain holidays. He added one writer cautioned residents to be careful when discharging fireworks.
Contact the newspaper at newsleader@recordpub.com.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Macedonia offers incentive to attract school resource officer
