SROs, athletics policy discussed at school board meeting

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Hamilton County Board of Education heard a Readiness and Safety report during their meeting Thursday night.

Currently, there are 27 School Resource Officers in 25 out of the 79 county schools.

The school system is still working with the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office to fill 3 SRO vacancies, while adding an additional seven.

“It’s the sheriff’s department’s hire, so we work with the sheriff’s department,” Superintendent Dr. Bryan Johnson said. “We can’t set the timeline on that, but obviously in our collaboration with the sheriff’s department we want to make sure that we’re working along side them and that the most trained and skilled candidates have access to our children.”

A High School Athletics Policy had its first reading.

According to the board’s attorney, currently, the school system doesn’t have an athletics policy.

If adopted, the policy will address in writing issues like the student athlete code of conduct.

It also includes language that allows hourly employees to volunteer as coaches at the school they work and allow for them to get a stipend.

It was also the last meeting for District 6 School Board Member Joe Galloway and District 8 School Board Member David Testerman.

Superintendent Dr. Bryan Johnson recognized the two for their service and gave them each a plaque.

Galloway decided he would not run in the most recent election.

And, Testerman lost his seat.

“I think there’s been 17 board members, and it’s been a pleasure all the way around,” Galloway said.

“It has really been a joy of mine to serve on this board, and I enjoyed working with my community and all you folks,” Testerman said.

The new board members will start in September.