INFORMATION 04-29-1996Independent School District
ADMINISTRATION OFFICES
400 School Street DAVID M. FLANNERY
Elk River, MN 55330 Superintendent of Schools
(612) 241-3400 Fax (612) 241-3407
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
Pat Klaers, Administrator
City of Elk River
Jim Berg, Director
Elementary Education
ISD 728
April 12, 1996
I believe David Flannery talked to you previously about our District's budget
situation and the possibility of "cuts" in the Police Liaison DARE programs. The
School Board has a preliminary report that recommends $25,000 being cut from
it. in our mind, this is the third DARE officer position.
The School Board is expected to take final action on this during the later part of
May or in June. David will be contacting you at that time. if you have questions
prior to that, please don't hesitate to contact me. (David will be out of the District
until May 20.) My telephone number is 241-3402. Thanks.
Approved for Release:
c: Tom Zerwas
David Flannery
bd/misc/DARE
Police Department
Thomas D. Zerwas
Chief of Police
April 22, 1996
Dear School Board Members:
Our department is aware that you are currently involved in the
budget process for the 1996-1997 school year. We are also aware of
the fact that one of the programs potentially being dropped is the
junior high D.A.R.E. Program. This gives us concern and is the
motivating factor in writing you this letter.
As you undoubtedly know, the D.A.R.E. Program has been a
longstanding and vital part of the Elk River elementary and junior
high curriculum. The program is extremely well received by
students, teachers and administration. You may not be aware,
however, that the junior high D.A.R.E. officer serves the school
district in a much broader role than that of an instructor. I
would like to outline all aspects of the junior high D.A.R.E.
officer's duties, responsibilities, and service.
I would first like to address the program itself. The junior high
D.A.R.E. Program offers students:
A reenforcement of the lessons and materials taught in
the elementary program. This information comes at a time
when students are making decisions that will affect them
for the rest of their lives.
A reenforcement of school policies and regulations. The
student is provided with rationales as to the importance
of "rules" in our society and how they make our world a
better place to live.
Information about gangs and their impact on society.
This area of the program is especially ¢ital now, since
the G.R.E.A.T. (Gang Resistance Education and Training)
Program was dropped at the end of the 1995 school year
because of budget constraints.
A chance to have positive interaction with law
enforcement. Students are shown that police officers are
not only interested in "arresting" them.
A positive adult role model in the D.A.R.E. instructor.
This is so important today, when so many role models
present negative lifestyles and images.
13065 Orono Parkway · P.O. Box 723 · Elk River, Minnesota 55330 · (612) 441-2324 · Fax (612) 441-8937
Page 2
Now, more than ever, students need the kind of information,
guidance, and support the junior high D.A.R.E. Program offers.
While the D.A.R.E. Program stands on its own merits, the D.A.R.E.
officer provides many services to the school district that go
beyond presenting lesson plans. Some of them include:
Assisting teachers and administrators in disciplining
students. This includes handling disorderly or
uncooperative students.
Counseling students in a variety of ways, such as student
relations, career related issues, personal issues, and
many others.
Acting as a legal resource for teachers and
administrators in areas related to law enforcement,
criminal justice, and the procedures and positions of the
police department.
Acting as a juvenile investigator and school liaison
officer. This position includes all of the previously
mentioned duties in addition to investigating criminal
offenses involving students. These duties are also
carried out at the Area Learning Center (ALC).
These are a few examples of types of incidents and issues that the
D.A.R.E. officer becomes involved in on a regular basis.
As you can see, if this position is eliminated, the school district
loses much more than an instructor. While we are concerned about
the loss of the D.A.R.E. Program, we are equally concerned about
losing the juvenile investigator position. At times, the junior
high D.A.R.E. officer is able to spend one half of his work time
acting as an investigator/liaison officer. If this position is
lost, we feel that service to the school district will be adversely
affected. This would come at a time when the juvenile
investigator's activity is increasing.
I recognize that the budget process is a difficult task. No one
wants to see cuts made in their respective areas. I hope that I
have provided you with information that will be useful in this
process. If you have questions or concerns, please do not hesitate
to call me. I would be happy to discuss this issue with you.
Sincerely,
Thomas D. Zerwas
Chief of Police
TDZ/kma