By Eric Stock

BLOOMINGTON – One of the Bloomington budget task force recommendations doesn’t sit well with District 87 superintendent Barry Reilly.

The panel suggests the city could drop its 50-percent contribution to fund school resource officers. In District 87, that pays for one officer for Bloomington High School, one for the junior high and one shared by the grade schools.

PODCAST: Listen to Scott and Colleen’s interview with Reilly on WJBC.

“The police are likely going to be called more often than they currently are because those guys can handle those issues on their own,” Reilly said. “I’m hopeful that’s one of the budget recommendations that doesn’t come to fruition.”

Reilly said the district might have to trim the number of officers it has at schools. He added the officers provide a benefit to the schools and the community so it should remain a shared cost.

“The relationships they build are very positive for not only the police force but also for the community and the city,” Reilly said.

The task force suggests eliminating its funding for the school resource officers would save the city $300,000 per year. The panel has listed dozen of ideas and final recommendations will be presented to the Bloomington City Council to consider next month.

Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].