Troy Schools address resource officer, weapons, street

Resource officer agreement approved

The Troy Public Schools Board of Trustees approved a memorandum of understanding on Wednesday that would create a school resource officer position, with the officer shared with the City of Troy.

The resource officer would be an officer with the Troy Police Department who would work for the city during the summer, but have an office supplied by the schools and be paid by Troy Public Schools when classes are in session.

In addition to ensuring the safety of students from outside threats, the officer would enforce school policies and be responsible for engaging with and educating the student body, as well as the staff.

The resource officer will be responsible for lesson plans on various subjects related to student safety, from bullying to the effects of drug and alcohol abuse. The officer will also assist Troy Public Schools in developing policies and procedures.

The agreement provides for the schools to pay for specialized training required for a resource officer.

Though the memorandum has been discussed by Troy City Council, it has not yet been voted on.

Weapons policy adopted

The Troy Public Schools Board of Trustees approved an official policy to provide a structure under which the district can meet Montana law regarding permission for possessing weapons on school grounds, from hunter education to personal carry.

Under Montana law, even for an instructor conducting a class with an unloaded long gun that has been rendered unable to fire, the local school board must grant permission to have that weapon on school grounds. The school’s policy also covers items such as starter guns or gun parts.

Under Montana law, a school board can grant permission to any individual to carry or possess a firearm or weapon on school grounds. The policy the board passed Wednesday allows permission to be granted for education, hunter safety or school safety.

In accordance with the policy, the board also accepted a form that can be used by individuals — such as school staff wishing to carry for reasons related to school safety — to apply to possess a firearm on school grounds.

Superintendent Jacob Francom said that, under Montana law, anyone who wanted to approach the school board about carrying on school grounds already could. The adoption of the policy only adds structure and formalizes the process.

It also requires anyone who would seek to carry on school grounds to make a publicly accessible request and disclose information about their history and fitness to possess a firearm.

The application is in no way a guarantee of approval, Francom said. The board retains the right to refuse any individual the right to possess a weapon on school grounds, and could make additional requirements regarding training or psychological evaluation in response to requests.

One-way Fifth Street approved

The Troy City Council voted Wednesday to make part of Fifth Street — from Spokane Avenue to the intersection with Fourth Street — one-way on a temporary basis to allow Troy Public Schools to create a pick up and drop off lane at W.F. Morrison Elementary.

The plan presented by Troy Public Schools Superintendent Jacob Francom to the council at their Wednesday, August 8 non-voting meeting calls for Fifth Street to be one-way running from Spokane and past the School.

Just past the curve in the area next to the tennis courts, the right lane will be for dropping off and picking up, with the left lane for through traffic.

The plan also calls for a sidewalk along the tennis courts for students being dropped off and picked up. However, that would not be put in unless the arrangement is made permanent.

At the August 8 meeting, Francom said that school staff would be out in the morning and afternoon to help guide drivers and children and ensure student safety. The temporary plan also calls for signs to help guide drivers.

Francom and the council also discussed the possibility of physical barriers to separate the lanes, as well as to separate the walking area from the road, but no formal decisions were made.

In addition to approving the change on a temporary basis, the council approved up to $1,000 for signs.