NEW CUMBERLAND — The Hancock County Commission is continuing to hold off on an agreement with the county school board over the use of sheriff’s deputies as prevention resource officers, with officials noting steps are still being taken to provide security measures.

The agreement, which would provide six Hancock County sheriff’s deputies to serve as PROs, first came before the commission during its July 27 meeting, but was tabled.

Commissioners have expressed concerns with the funding allotment used for the program, as well as an interest in meeting with the school board noting three members of the board were elected last year.

Commission President Jeff Davis said, while an agreement is not officially in place between commissioners and the school board, sheriff’s deputies are still available for the schools.

“Each and every school that has had a PRO in the past still has one,” Davis said. “The children are still safe.”

Under the proposed agreement, which would cover the recently opened school year, deputies would be assigned to Allison Elementary, New Manchester Elementary, Oak Glen Middle, Oak Glen High, and the John D. Rockefeller IV Career Center, with a “rover” to be stationed at Weirton Elementary and the Alternative Learning Center when not needed to fill in at other locations.

The City of Weirton provides PROs to Weir High, Weir Middle and Weirton Elementary through a separate agreement.

In other business Thursday, the commission agreed to table appointments for three seats on the county Park Board, with Commissioner Paul Cowey explaining the commission would like to meet with the applicants, who currently serve on the board, to review the board’s activity for the last year and plans for the future.

Current members Sarah Cale, Corinna Meyers and Nick Travis were slated for the appointments, according to the agenda for Thursday’s meeting. During a July commission meeting, it was stated there were four positions available.

The commission also addressed a series of personnel requests, including the resignation of Alexis Swan from the Circuit Clerk’s Office, effective Aug. 31, and payment for Swan’s accrued vacation days; the resignation of Thomas R. Cox from the sheriff’s office, effective Aug. 31, and payment for accrued vacation days; the resignation of Lt. J. Keeder as a sheriff’s deputy, effective Aug. 31 and the hiring of Keeder as a jail administrator, effective Sept. 1; and the resignation of Samantha Tate, effective immediately, from the County Clerk’s Office, paying for one personal day and advertising for the open position.