Officials renew agreement for 2013-14 school year
by James McEvoy, Managing Editor
PLUMSTED — One month after being sworn in as probationary officers, Danielle DePalma and Ryan Nani were sworn in as full-time officers at the July 10 Township Committee meeting.
The two officers will serve as school security resource officers with Officer DePalama serving in elementary and primary schools while Officer Nani will serve in the middle and high schools.
Officer DePalma is no stranger to Plumsted schools, having served as a resource officer previously in the district under a temporary pact, which was renewed at a special June 19 meeting for the entire 2013-14 school year.
The Township Committee and Plumsted Township Board of Education had previously approved an interim interlocal agreement that provided for the officers’ presence in district schools from March until June.
Officials stated the special meeting was needed to allow for the requisite training the officers must have during the summer months.
Business administrator Ron Dancer said under the terms of the agreement the school district will pay up to $120,000 to cover salaries, benefits, uniforms and all expenses related to the two officers.
Such an amount was included for security purposes in the 2013-14 school budget, which was adopted by the board in March.
”For all intents and purposes they, while being township police officers, are assigned to the school and that’s why the school is paying for the full amount,” Mr. Dancer said, noting overtime costs were also addressed in the agreement, which was a stickling point for Committeeman Jack Trotta.
Committeeman Trotta, though he voted for the measure and said it constituted an improvement over the previous agreement, maintained he had reservations, going as far to say if either Deputy Mayor Eric Sorchik or Committeeman Mike Wysong had been present at the meeting he would have against.
”I’m all for the school resource officers,” he said, noting he voted against the initial measure in March. “I will vote yes tonight because there’s three of us here.
”The agreement we have in front of us tonight is better,” he added. “If there should be overtime needed for an officer in that school the school is not taking responsibility for paying for that officer. Quite frankly we don’t have the money.”
Under the agreement, the district would pay for overtime costs for the two resource officers themselves that wouldn’t be the case should another Plumsted police officer have to fill in for whatever reason.
”If we have to give (regular officers) overtime that should be the school’s responsibility,” he said.
Mayor David Leutwyler did note that the township will be able to utilize the school resource officers during various school vacations.
He and other officials expressed confidence in both officers who will also provide educational support with regards to law-related topics.
Previously, Mayor Leutwyler also lauded Officer Vince Doell, a seven-year veteran of the Plumsted Police Department who also served as a resource officer for the district under the previous agreement.
In an e-mail, Superintendent Karen Jones said the agreement represents the district’s commitment to student safety.
”The Board of Education and I have worked closely with Chief (Matthew) Petrecca and the Township Committee to implement the new SRO program into our schools,” Dr. Jones wrote, noting the officers’ positive influence on students. “Over the next school year, I am looking forward to the officers bringing educational programs to our students on a variety of topics such as: drugs and alcohol use, texting and driving, stranger danger and many others.”
Reached by telephone, Chief Matthew Petrecca lauded school and township officials alike in light of the approved agreement.
”Superintendent Karen Jones and the Plumsted Township Board of Education need to be commended,” he said. “They did a hell of a job putting this together and making this happen working alongside the governing body.”
He said it was a “privilege” to work alongside Dr. Jones, whom he said he shares a great working relationship with.

