Lynnwood High School scrambles to keep its school resource officer, a Snohomish County sheriff’s deputy

Published 7:51 pm Sunday, June 27, 2010

LYNNWOOD — Two Edmonds School District officials are shifting dollars around at Lynnwood High School to avoid losing what they call an essential campus resource.

Assistant Superintendent Ken Limon and school Principal Dave Golden are reorganizing Lynnwood High’s building budget to keep the school resource officer.

Snohomish County Sheriff’s Deputy Rebecca Lewis serves in the job at Lynnwood High School. In her role, Lewis is a familiar face to students, with whom she has built a professional yet approachable relationship in an effort to reduce and prevent crimes on campus.

The school district’s school resource officer program is included in Superintendent Nick Brossoit’s list of proposed budget cuts. The district is facing a $6.7 million shortfall going into the 2010-11 school year.

Dropping the program at the district’s four high schools would put $200,000 back in the district’s pocket.

District spokeswoman D.J. Jakala said no one can quite say Smith’s position at Lynnwood High is restored, but officials are working toward that.

“Rebecca (Lewis) has an incredible relationship with the school,” Jakala said. “She’s quite ingrained in that school community.”

The Edmonds School Board has shown support for the effort.

Board member Ann McMurray pointed out that the district now has to come up with creative means of funding staff and programs that used to be a given.

Budget adjustments could include Lewis teaching a law and justice class, which would represent 21 percent of her salary, or $17,000. This would be the first time a police officer would serve in a teaching role in the district.

Removing the parking lot security position, as security cameras will be installed, would save $25,000. Staff also recommends converting some certificated support funds from the building budget to cover the remaining costs. These funds are typically spent on items such as library support and additional counseling.