White Pigeon school resource deputy agreement finalized

St. Joseph County officials Tuesday formalized an agreement with White Pigeon Community Schools to provide the district a school resource deputy.

The matter was raised last week during the commission’s executive committee meeting.

Representing the school district, board of education member Mike Swinehart thanked the county commission for agreeing to work with the district and help with a position that he said will be valuable to White Pigeon Community Schools.

According to terms of the five-year contract, the county would provide the services of a deputy for 43 weeks. The deputy would work 40 hours a week, with daily starting and ending shifts to be established by school officials.

St. Joseph County Administrator Teresa Doehring said the deputy will assist the county’s parks and recreation department during summer months and over school holidays.

The service will cost about $75,000 annually, though there are potential grants that, if secured, would lower the out-of-pocket cost to the school district. White Pigeon Community Schools will pay about 80 percent of that, while the county’s parks and recreation department will cover the balance.