SPECIAL SESSION — Brooke County Sheriff Larry Palmer attendied the Brooke County Board of Education’s special session meeting Wednesday to discuss prevention resource officers. -- Taryn Linder

WELLSBURG — The Brooke County Board of Education welcomed Brooke County Sheriff Larry Palmer and Commisioners A.J. Thomas and Stacey Wise at a special session meeting held Wednesday.

The board, commisioners and sheriff discussed the use of $450,000 from the levy funds to staff five prevention resource officers for Brooke County schools during the 2019-2020 school year.

The $450,000 would account for the officers’ salaries, benefits, vests, equipment, academy training and more.

However, a decision was not made on whether to accept that figure.

“It just comes down to figuring out what the financial responsibility will be of the commission and what the responsibility will be for the board,” said Stacy Hooper, vice president of the board.

In addition, the board discussed donating the county’s vehicles to the officers.

“I’m just concerned about the cars,” said board member Brian Ferguson. “They aren’t police cruisers.”

In contrast, Palmer said he thinks, for the purpose of working the schools, the cars would be fine.

With so many unanswered questions, a work session with the Brooke County Commisioners has been scheduled for 4:30 p.m. on Monday at the Board Offices to iron out the details for the officers.

“We have to get this done,” said Board President Ted Pauls.

Other matters discussed at the Wednesday meeting included the decision to hire Corey Murphy as interim deputy superintendent.

Murphy is the assistant superintendent/personnel director for Marshall County Schools.

“He was highly qualified and already serving as an assistant superintendent, so he has the past experience,” said Interim Superintendent Jeffrey Crook. “We felt he would be a great addition to the Brooke County team.”