LEBANON — The School Board, by a unanimous vote, approved a new agreement on Wednesday for the services of a community resource officer — a specially trained member of law enforcement who assists the schools with safety, educational programs and other support services.

That proposed agreement will now go to Lebanon Police, who must approve language changes that board members requested in the draft.

Under the new agreement, the contracted resource officer would not be stationed in a school building but would be available to the schools when needed or requested by the district, including for crisis intervention or emergencies, teaching opportunities or to accompany the district social worker on student home visits. 

“We are not allowing surveillance or allowing someone to be stationed in a school at all times,” Chairwoman Lilian Maughan said about the new role on Wednesday. “We are taking out those parts that were big sticking points for a lot of (our board) and community members.”  

The new proposal is intended to replace an agreement in which the resource officer was stationed in Lebanon High School. In response to community concerns about hosting an armed police officer in the schools, the School Board voted, 6-2, in November, to end that agreement and seek an alternative contract for the 2024-25 academic year, which begins on July 1.