JEFFERSON COUNTY — Mt. Vernon Township High School will have a new student resource officer thanks to a request by Jefferson County Sheriff Travis Allen.

At Thursday’s Jefferson County Board Meeting Allen requested that the board provide a part-time deputy to the district to act as the SRO. The district will fund the salary, uniforms and training. That didn’t stop concerns of possible union grievances and other liabilities amongst board members.

The school is in the city’s jurisdiction, but Allen noted that the school was still in Jefferson County.

Allen informed the board that the district had chosen Barry Stricklin. Stricklin is a retired Illinois State Police Trooper who currently teaches at the school. Because Stricklin’s total hours would be less than 1,000 he would not be eligible for medical benefits and would be non-union.

JCSO would, however, be responsible for any liabilities like any other deputy.