Vigo Co. Council looks at school safety

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - A day after the Vigo County school board approves funds for rural and city's school to have full time officers, the measure went before the Vigo County council.
    
At Tuesday night’s council meeting sheriff Greg Ewing began the final leg of approval for his plan to place a deputy in every rural elementary and middle school.
    
Now all that's left is for the county council to decide whether or not to approve it.
    
Sheriff Ewing presented his plan for the first time publicly to the entire county council. Just after he spoke, Vigo County prosecutor Terry Modesitt gave his support for the initiative. But he did more than just approve of it. With his chief deputy by his side, the county prosecutor said his office could offer up 30,000 dollars to the program.
    
Sheriff Ewing's plan will cost the county near 135,000 dollars. Before a deputy can permanently work in every school, the program will be evaluated in a budget committee.
    
The funds for this program would come out of the County Adjusted Gross Income Tax fund.
    
The county council president Bill Thomas said safety in county schools is one of the council's chief concerns and he looks forward to what the committee decides to do.

"Well I think we can find the money, yes,” Thomas said.

“When it comes to our children we will put a pencil to everything. We will do our very best to fund this if it comes back and is approved.”
    
Until this measure is approved sheriff Greg Ewing says his deputies will continue their surveillance rotations in county schools. The safe schools measure will come up for a vote March 12th.