New Williamsburg Ind. SRO contract to have officer in building most of year

A new school resource officer contract between Williamsburg Independent School and the Williamsburg Police Department is expected to ensure that an officer will now be within the school 11 months out of the year while students are present.

The contract was presented to the Williamsburg Board of Education during their regular monthly meeting on Dec. 13, where Superintendent Tim Melton talked about the changes in the SRO contract from previous years and how it is a benefit to the school district.

“One of the things that we are very fortunate to have is a good relationship with the city. If you remember last [school] year when we were about to get out of school there was a tragedy in Texas, and the city said ‘You need to have an officer up here,’” said Melton. “So, when we had our summer school and our camps in June, the officer was provided. When we had our Save the Children KinderBoost program in August, an officer was here.

“One of the directions that we’re moving is, this building is going to be opened up for learning 11 months out of the year and we were very appreciative of the city allowing an officer to be here, but we know that we need to make sure to take care of our part and our part is to have him here year-round, so that when we have activities going on he is here. So, that is the reason for the update.”

The one month that will not be covered under the new contract is July, according to Melton, which is a so-called “dead period” when no type of school-related events or activities take place.

The board voted unanimously to approve the new SRO contract.

In other board of education business:

– Melton provided board members with an update on some renovation projects going on in the school building.

The renovation of the school’s auditorium is “about 95 percent complete,” according to Melton, who noted that a new sound system and lighting have been installed, as well as a permanent streaming option that will allow for school performances to be broadcast live online without the need to setup equipment each time.

Demolition has also begun in the school’s media center, according to Melton. The center is currently being revamped to provide a better space for learning and student activities.

“That will be an area that will allow us the opportunity to host events and host things that we haven’t been able to do in the past,” said Melton.

The work is expected to be finished by the middle of January.