ADAMS TWP — The Mars School District is nearing the formation of a hybrid school police force after the school board approved an agreement at a special meeting Monday morning.

The deal between the district and the township would provide the school with two full-time officers from the Adams Township Police Department to be permanently stationed in district schools for a cost of $150,000 per school year.

These will be supplemented by retired law enforcement officers, who will be hired by the district to provide added security.

The board voted unanimously to approve the agreement. The township expects to approve it at its next meeting May 13.

Superintendent Wes Shipley said he's pleased at the opportunity for the district to continue its relationship with the police department.

Tom King, school board solicitor, said that Supervisor Russ Ford and Chief Shawn Anglum helped to make the agreement a reality.

“I think it's affordable,” King said. “It's also workable.”

The township will be paid $75,000 per officer. The district also will hire three additional supplemental officers comprised of retired law enforcement officers, according to its April 9 meeting.

The agreement begins July 1 and continues for one year. The school board and township supervisors again will meet in January to discuss what to do at the end of that period.

King said the deal would have to be approved by a county judge and that the board plans to take the agreement before Judge Michael Yeager soon.