CHERRY TWP — Moniteau Superintendent Sean Arney told school board members and the public at Monday's meeting about his concerns regarding legislation involving school police officers.

Arney said he sent a letter to local representatives regarding Senate Bill 621 and Act 44.

Arney said there are new training requirements required for school police officers that could cost the district $500 per officer, and the training program has rigid specificity on when and where the training takes place.

Arney said he is concerned about the trajectory of Act 44 and how it's being funded.

“I'm hoping that I get more input from the legislators,” Arney said.

“This is a bigger animal than a lot of us (school districts) can handle with the unfunded mandates.”

Arney said despite his latest concerns, the school's officers have performed well thus far. He said he was pleased to add another officer, Scott Daly, at Monday's meeting to their unit.

“There's a lot of competition for very few officers,” Arney said. “I think since the implementation of our police, I've been more than happy.”