JACKSON TWP — The Seneca Valley School Board Monday night applied for a $56,000 grant that would pay for a second police officer to be used on the secondary campus.

Assistant Superintendent Matt McKinley said at a school board meeting Monday night that the grant is through the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

If awarded, the grant would pay for the school resource officer for one year. In the second year of the grant, the district would split the cost for the officer with the state.

McKinley said school officials have been “thrilled” with the service they’re getting from the current school officer, but added that the secondary campus is always growing.

“I definitely see a need to have two people here, especially if there’s a crisis situation on campus,” he said.

The current school resource officer is Jackson Township officer Hunter Ryan.

McKinley said the new officer would serve at the district during the school year and would serve on normal patrol with Jackson Township police during the summer months.

The district already has contracts with Cranberry Township, Evans City and Zelienople police for patrols at various schools within the district.

Superintendent Tracy Vitale praised her staff for going after the grant, saying it took hours and hours of research and writing to submit.

Vitale called it a “difficult” and “tedious” process, but one that is well worth the time if the grant is awarded.