Board of Aldermen meeting recap: Arnold censured

     Alderman Dale Arnold was formally censured for disclosing closed session business with the Jackson County Election Board and former mayor and current alderman candidate Chuck Johnston during a brief Board of Aldermen meeting on March 27th. Arnold was the only 'no' vote on the resolution (graphic of resolution provided below).
     As previously reported, Arnold faced the censure vote after an admitted call to the Jackson County Election Board (JCEB) in the days following the judge’s decision in a recent suit between the City and JCEB regarding revised ward boundaries, and for allegedly disclosing executive session information related to the suit to former mayor and current Board of Aldermen candidate Johnston.
     The Board also approved the second reading of an ordinance to amend the City’s Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use map, changing the zoning of 11.5 acres currently zoned for residential to light industrial to allow for two planned businesses to locate in the area near Creekside Village.
     In other business, Alderman Ryan Skinner raised concerns regarding the level of School Resource Officer (SRO) staffing at Grain Valley Schools in light of the most recent school shooting in Nashville earlier in the day. 
     "I think we are severely lacking in school resource officers in this city. I think that one of the biggest things the city has going for it is our schools," Skinner said.
     "The fact that we have eight schools and three SRO's, I think that is setting ourselves up for failure to be completely honest."
     Skinner asked Police Chief Ed Turner if he felt SRO staffing was adequate. 
    "The day and age we live in, it would be optimum to have an officer in every school," Turner said.
     "We need to come up with a plan...to work towards a goal of having an officer (at every school) that is a deterrent. (When these shootings happen) I've never once saw someone from the school district talking. When stuff hits the fan, it's us (city) up here who have to deal with it. I think we need to take the first steps to get the ball rolling in the right direction," Skinner said.
     Reached for comment, Dr. Amanda Allen, Grain Valley Schools Assistant Superintendent, Student and Community Services, said the district believes it is currently appropriately staffed.
     "Three SROs serve our schools. Our middle schools and high school each have an SRO designated at their school. SROs also check in on our elementary schools and early childhood center. Collaboration with the City of Grain Valley is ongoing and staffing needs are addressed as needed. Through our partnership with GVPD, we are appropriately staffed with SROs at this time but we will continue to monitor the need for additional resources," Allen said.
     The next scheduled meeting of the Board of Aldermen will be held Monday, April 10th at 7:00pm at City Hall. 

Additional related reporting: Quick News - Grain Valley News