Represented by Angela Murphy, the SAFE Schools Committee reported to Allen County commissioners some of its recent work regarding school safety.
The group has been working on strategic emergency planning, getting radios in schools, procuring opioid overdose supplies and “stop the bleed” kits, hazmat response, tornado preparation and suicide prevention.
Later in the meeting, commissioner Bruce Symes, who’d attended the SAFE Schools Committee’s last meeting also mentioned night-locks, cameras and cyber-security (against the “dark web”).
Discussion of school safety dovetailed in two directions connected to a resolution that had previously been established concerning how PILOT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) funds — estimated at $250,000 per year for 10 years — from Prairie Queen Wind Farm would be spent.
The Register previously reported “Allen County Commissioners will distribute the money, but it is not quite clear how they will do so.”
The SAFE group suggested the Commission spend some (undesignated) amount of the funds on safety-related items such as those listed above.
The current resolution does not stipulate on what items PILOT funds can be spent, and so might include anything from white boards and program development to art supplies and books.
Second, it was suggested — by multiple parties — that the Commission amend the resolution to provide funding to seven educational entities rather than four.
The original resolution involved funding only the Regional Rural Technology Center in LaHarpe, and School Districts 256 (Marmaton Valley), 257 (Iola) and 258 (Humboldt).
An amended resolution would also include SEK-CAP Family Development Center, ANW Special Education Co-Op and Allen Community College.
At this time, the Commission did not take action on amending the resolution regarding either of the proposed changes.
Speaking for himself, however, commissioner Symes said he believed safety and security are the commission’s top job.
“Rather than just giving the money over for educational opportunities without any definition,” he said, “if I’ve got a say in it, and have that control, that’s what I would really like to see the money used for.”
The original resolution gave educational entities themselves the authority to decide how PILOT funds should be spent.
On a related note, there was some additional discussion suggesting the resolution be rewritten to stipulate that, rather than educational projects, PILOT funds be used to fund construction of the new proposed communications tower meant to serve the southeast corner of the county.
TUESDAY’S Commission meeting began with a request for funding assistance from the Humboldt Historical Preservation Alliance (HHPA).
