ADAMS TWP — During an in-person meeting also virtually open to the public, township supervisors approved a five-year contract Monday night between Adams Township Police Department and Mars Area School District.

The move came roughly two weeks after Mars School Board voted 5-4 not to approve a one-year contract extension with the police department.

At that time, several school board members expressed interest in renegotiating a police contract that would maintain a “hybrid” security force within the district, while accounting for the possibility students might be learning virtually in the fall due to the coronavirus pandemic.

If that is the case, the board argued in May, the need to have a security officer in each district building might not be necessary.

Several people voiced concern about the board's decision in May. The board said despite not approving the extension, it wanted to work with township police in the future.

The renegotiations went well, said Russell Ford, chairman of the township board of supervisors, but physical limitations imposed by the pandemic entered into the process.

“It's been a little bit difficult to do the negotiations as we would normally do (them),” Ford said.

Ford said much of the renegotiating happened on the phone and through email because of COVID-19 restrictions.

Ford said the renegotiations included input from township supervisors, township solicitor Michael Gallagher, the school board and district solicitor Tom King.

Talks culminated in an in-person meeting Thursday that lasted more than two hours, Ford said.

“There was a lot of talk two weeks ago that this contract was going to go away,” Ford said. “(But) we came to an agreement.”

“I think that both sides got a very good deal,” said Supervisor Edward Vogel.

At Gallagher's suggestion, the township declined to detail the finances behind the contract.

Ford said the township would provide information about pay rate increases after the school board approves the agreement.

School board President John Kennedy was present during the township meeting to speak on behalf of the board.

With five other board members in attendance to witness the township's vote, Kennedy acknowledged the length of the agreement between the entities.

“This contract that we negotiated is a long-term commitment to safety for all the students and staff and properties of the Mars Area School District,” Kennedy said.

Kennedy said the district plans to continue having an armed police officer in each of its five buildings.

Three officers are employed by the district, while two will be contracted through the police department. This combination is what earned the team the “hybrid” label when it was formed last year.

Having a five-year plan in place helps the district to plan financially for the future, Kennedy said.

“We have a nice commitment,” Kennedy said. “We can budget what we're doing.”

The contract, if approved by the board, would be in effect from July 1 through June 2025.

Supervisor Ron Shemela, vice chairman, said he was impressed by the negotiation process.

“It was good to see that two groups got together, and by mutual understanding, I think it's a very positive, positive agreement,” Shemela said.

“At the end, I think we were all happy,” said Linda Lees, the supervisor in charge of police.

Supervisor Clay Morrow said he hopes to see future cooperation between the township and school district.

Police Chief Shawn Anglum praised the township and school district for their work on the new contract.

“That's one of our most important contracts,” Anglum said.

Supervisors unanimously approved the five-year arrangement.

Based off an informal “unanimous affirmation” conducted during negotiations, the school board anticipates approving the contract at its June 23 meeting.

Kennedy invited township supervisors to attend the meeting.