Clay County OKs 3-year MOU for school resource deputy at Ewen Hinterdale

The Clay County Board of Commissioners on July 8 approved a three-year memorandum of understanding with the Ewen Hinterdale School District to provide a school resource deputy.

The MOU, presented by the Clay County sheriff, covers 10 hours per week during 174 school days and runs from June 3, 2025, through June 1, 2028. The sheriff said the deputy who has been assigned to the district “has done a great job at building some really good relationships” with students and staff but is resigning, and the county will post to replace him.

The nut graf: The county and school district will continue a reduced-hours SRO arrangement that the sheriff said has shifted from a prior four-hour-per-day assignment to a two-hour-per-day schedule driven by the district’s budgeting. The sheriff explained that the office bills the district based on the deputy’s salary and anticipates year-to-year changes tied to cost-of-living and step increases.

In discussion, commissioners thanked the departing deputy and affirmed support for the program’s role beyond security; one commissioner noted the officer’s involvement in restorative-justice activities for students. The board voted to approve the MOU; the motion was made by Commissioner Ebinger and seconded by Commissioner Bair, and the chair called the motion carried after an oral aye vote.

The action does not name the individual who will fill the position. The sheriff indicated a later board request will seek approval to hire a replacement deputy.