POTSDAM -- Potsdam Central School is forming a committee that would assist the district and village in monitoring and evaluating how employing an armed in-school police officer, which they call a “school resource officer,” affects the school.

PCS is in the process of hiring an armed officer that will patrol the school each day, as well as interact with students like a mentor or counselor.

The person hired will be an employee of the Village of Potsdam, according to an email sent to parents of PCS students.

Potsdam Police Chief Mark Murray will ultimately recommend to the village board who to hire.

“However, we hope to embark on a collaborative process that provides stakeholders with the opportunity to participate,” PCS Superintendent Joann Chambers said.

“I am looking for three parents to serve on this advisory committee,” she said. “I am hoping we can pull the committee together in the late afternoon of Tuesday, Aug. 14 to review applications. The group will then decide on a date/time to conduct the interviews, hopefully later next week.”

In addition, Chambers hopes to form a committee to work with the school and village officials in monitoring this new position and assessing how the SRO is influencing the district.

This group would be charged with reviewing data quarterly and collecting feedback from various stakeholders.

“I would anticipate this group meeting four times during the school year,” the superintendent added.

The role a police officer would play “includes education, counseling/mentoring, and law enforcement. The position is primarily a proactive approach to school safety as SROs build positive relationships with students, become confidantes for students who have critical information to share, and support administrators and staff in ensuring a safe environment.”

The PCS school board allocated $30,000 to pay the officer for this year. No long-term commitment has been made to the position beyond this year.

Anyone who would like to serve on the hiring committee or on the SRO advisory committee acn contact Chambers at jchambers@potsdam.k12.ny.us.