MILLSTONE – The Millstone K-8 School District Board of Education has ratified a shared services agreement with neighboring Manalapan through which the Manalapan Police Department will provide the school district with one Class III special law enforcement officer during the 2018-19 school year.
The district includes the Millstone Township Primary School and the Millstone Township Elementary School at the same campus on Schoolhouse Road, and the Millstone Township Middle School on Dawson Court.
Class III special officers are recently retired individuals who previously worked in law enforcement. The officers are authorized to carry a weapon while they are on duty.
Without providing specific information as to how the police officer will be deployed in the school district, officials said that according to the terms of the agreement, the officer’s duties and the extent of those duties will be assigned by Manalapan Police Chief Michael Fountain in cooperation with Superintendent of Schools Christopher Huss or a designee.
The agreement between the school district and the police department was initially approved in June. It was formally ratified on Oct. 22 for the 2018-19 school year. The agreement was ratified after a change made by the New Jersey State Police regarding jurisdiction, according to district administrators.
Class III special officers are authorized to exercise full powers and duties similar to those of a full-time police officer while providing security at schools during the hours the schools are normally in session and/or occupied by students and/or teachers.
Unless the school district or Manalapan cancels the agreement, it will renew annually for three additional one-year terms. The board entered into the agreement because Millstone does not have its own police force. Regular police services in Millstone are provided by the state police.
According to the agreement, the officer will be under the supervision and direction of Fountain or another Manalapan superior officer, and will remain subject to all rules and regulations of the Manalapan Police Department. The officer will not be considered an employee of the Millstone school district or the board.
The board will reimburse Manalapan for all costs incurred by Manalapan for services rendered by the officer in the school district. According to district administrators, the cost of the officer is budgeted at $40,000 for 2018-19, with a one-time start-up fee of $10,000.
“I am thankful for the supportive and collaborative relationship we have formed with the Manalapan Police Department,” Huss said. “I look forward to combining their services with those already being provided by the New Jersey State Police to best meet the needs of our students and schools, and to further ensure everyone’s safety.”