HUTCHINSON, Kan. — As expected, the Reno County Commission made no final decision about adding a position to the Reno County Sheriff’s Office. The addition would include a school resource officer for the Nickerson School District.

The plan is for the district to pay 85 percent of the wages and benefits with an estimated cost of over $74,000 — more than what was first indicated.

Dr. Dawn Johnson with USD 309 explained why the district feels it needs the officer:

 

Reno County Sheriff Randy Henderson indicated that he could move some dollars around and possibly delay buying some equipment. However, since budgets were already set, Johnson says the district will have to find the funds elsewhere:

 

She says they’re 90 percent there at this point.

The two commissioners present at the meeting Tuesday didn’t seem to have a problem moving ahead with negotiations with the district. At this point, the issue is only in the talking stage. No agreement has been reached.

There was a question raised by Commissioner Dan Deming over other districts in the county also wanting a school resource officer. Sheriff Henderson says two districts in the area have their own police departments, that being Buhler and Haven. The only others would be Pretty Prairie and the Fairfield districts. Sheriff Henderson says if they want to have an officer, they would need to come forward soon:

 

It should be noted that neither of those districts has made such a request.

No decision was made on the Nickerson request as negotiations continue.