Moniteau School District brought on two new part-time school resource officers — during a Monday work session of the board of directors — who will be substitutes for the four existing SROs.

The board also approved spending $700 to send one of the new hires to basic training. District superintendent Tom Samosky said some SROs are hired prior to receiving training, while others received training while working in other school districts.

“It's becoming more common now since SROs are becoming more popular in school districts,” Samosky said. “Some of them have the training from another district.”

Samosky said two SROs work during the day at Dassa McKinney Elementary School and two work during the day at Moniteau Junior/Senior High School. In addition to the new hires, the district has an SRO to work some split shifts as well.

Also at the work session, the school board approved a field trip request for four life skills students to visit local businesses to promote their new learning program for Coffee Cart Cafe.

Samosky said these students and the special education staff are collecting donations to support the cafe in the upcoming school year.

He said board members supported the new opportunity at the work session in more ways than one.

“It's a new learning opportunity for our kids to develop more work-based skills,” Samosky said. “Donations would be able to get it started and make the program work for this upcoming school year. In fact, we already had some board members make some donations.”