File image of SAU 90 School Resource Officers, courtesy of the Hampton Union.
To see if the School District will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $100,000 forthe purpose of a second School Resource Officer to serve Centre School and Marston School in the district. (Majority vote required.)
What it means: Hampton currently employs two School Resource Officers, one at Hampton Academy and one that is shared between Marston School and Centre School. This authorization would add one officer to the Police Department so that all three schools would have a dedicated School Resource Officer. The dollar commitment was spelled out as follows: Officers assigned usually have more than three years of service which puts them at an annual pay of $50,532.20. The Town’s retirement costs are 29.43% or $14,868.98. Maximum insurance cost is $25,277.43, Dental is $1,606.72, Life Insurance is $118.00, Workman’s Compensation Insurance is estimated at $1,854.20 for this example for a grand total of $94,248.53. These numbers can change depending on the pay rate of the officer assigned and any changes in retirement or benefit costs. The remaining funds help offset training costs and equipment.
Those in favor say: A School Resource Officer increases the safety in the schools by serving as a deterrent, by building relationships with the students and, if needed, by direct intervention in criminal activity.
Those opposed say: Some people expressed concern that the objective of increasing safety in the schools was not discussed as an overall topic with multiple possibilities considered prior to putting forward an additional police officer as a pre-determined solution to whatever safety concerns there might be.
Fiscal Impact: The average Hampton home valued at $405,000 would bear a one-time tax cost of $12.24 in 2019. This would impact future years as well, since the salary and associated expenses would then become part of the default budget.