A part-time school police officer has been hired in the Northern Lehigh School District.

By a 6-0 vote, the school board on Monday appointed Kyle Kromer to the position at the rate of $18 an hour plus life insurance benefit, effective as of Thursday. Directors Donna Kulp and Robert Keegan Jr. were absent.

After the meeting, Superintendent Matthew J. Link said Kromer will supplement the full-time school police officer role of officer Frank Gnas.

“Such as patrolling buildings and grounds, addressing traffic violations, conduct investigation when necessary, build positive relationships with students, staff and the community,” Link said. “Overall, he will work with SPO Gnas, administration and staff to provide a safe and secure teaching and learning environment.”

Link said that Kromer will rotate through all schools, and when the district needs him, during evening events in the schools and stadium.

“The board and administration supported the position because we want to be vigilant in providing a safe and secure environment, and realized that an additional police presence is one way (we) can do that,” he said. “Officer Gnas has great support from our local police departments and the PA State Police, but we saw this as an additional opportunity currently funded through a grant.”

Full-time school police officer

Also on Monday, the board approved the memorandum of understanding to the Northern Lehigh School District Middle Management Team’s Administrator Compensation Plan to incorporate the position of the full-time school police officer.

The memorandum of understanding is due to new regulations concerning Act 44, which require appointment of a district administrator as the School Safety and Security Coordinator.

It’s also to formalize the addition of the full-time school police officer as a member of the Act 93 group.

Last month, the board on a 7-0 vote approved Gnas as the district’s School Safety and Security Coordinator.

By incorporating Gnas’ position into the Act 93 Middle Management Team, he can fulfill the duties as the district’s School Safety & Security Coordinator, as stipulated in Act 44.