Local schools to get full-time law enforcement officer

By P.J. GLISSON

news@yourdailyglobe.com

Bessemer — A full-time sheriff’s deputy now will be stationed within schools in Bessemer, Wakefield and Watersmeet.

“We are starting our school resource officer program in the schools,” said Sheriff Ross Solberg at a committee meeting of the Gogebic County Board of Commissioners last week.

During the Finance, Budgeting and Auditing Committee, Solberg said that Deputy Adam Graser has been assigned to the new post.

The sheriff later told The Globe that Graser will work a 40-hour week by floating among the Watersmeet K-12 School, the Wakefield-Marenisco K-12 School, the A.D. Johnston Junior and Senior High School and the Washington Elementary School. The latter two schools are in Bessemer.

Solberg told committee members that Graser will work within the schools only during the school year. Regarding the summer period, the sheriff said of Graser, “For three months, I’m going to find the best ways to utilize him.”

Because Graser used to be a road deputy, the sheriff requested that committee members allow him to hire a new deputy to fill that role. He speculated that the cost for the projected annual salary and benefits would be $98,488.

Board Chairman James Lorenson, who led the meeting in the absence of Committee Chairman George Peterson, said that the county would have to amend the budget and use contingency funds to cover the cost of a new deputy. Committee members voted to do so.

Commissioner Thomas Laabs asked whether area school districts contribute any of the expense relating to the new resource officer.

“Right now, it’s a state-funded program, not a school-funded program,” said Solberg.

The sheriff explained that the Gogebic-Ontonagon Intermediate School District applied for a state grant that will cover 50% of the cost to employ Graser in the schools.

Orlich asked whether the Sheriff’s Office will provide deputy coverage at school events occurring outside of the school day. Solberg said his office will strive to do that as much as possible.

Solberg also explained to committee members that the Ironwood School District is not included within Graser’s responsibilities because the Ironwood Department of Public Safety will serve that locale. He added that Ironwood will benefit from the same state grant.