Frank DeMatto, the newly appointed school police officer for Carbon Career and Technical Institute, discussed the job with the joint operating committee Thursday night.

DeMatto presented to the board the advantages to allowing the school police officer to be armed and in full police uniform.

DeMatto said that being armed would allow him to effectively carry out his job.

“The kids in this school, the staff is not so much a concern … my concern would be an outside threat. Our students are fine. Personally I think the finest in the nation,” DeMatto said.

Another advantage to being armed and in uniform, DeMatto said, is to be visible as a police officer to the students, staff and public.

DeMatto said being in full uniform would increase the students’ perception of him as a true police officer and allow the students to “see the good side of policing.”

Board members questioned the certification for DeMatto’s to carry a weapon.

DeMatto said he maintains annual qualifications with the state police as well as meeting all the Municipal Police Officers’ Education and Training Commission requirements.

A motion was made and seconded to have the school police officer armed and in uniform. The motion passed unanimously.

Grant funding

Students at CCTI will have some new equipment on which to practice thanks to $46,300 in Supplemental Equipment Grant funding. Administrative Director David Reinbold shared the news with the board. Students in six different programs of study will benefit from this grant award:

• Students in the HVAC program will be receiving a refrigeration trainer to help them learn how to analyze and test operations of various refrigeration equipment.

• Auto Collision and Repair students will take delivery of a new portable welder. This equipment will enable the students to perform a variety of welds used in auto repair.

• The students in the Electrical Distribution/Automation program will be able to engage in collaborative problem solving, group presentations and virtual field trips using their new Promethean ActivPanel Touch 70.

• A fiber-optic and laser trainer will assist students in the Electronics Communications and Engineering Technology, as well as those in the Computer Engineering Technology programs to “design innovative solutions to real-world problems” as they relate to communication.

• An Autel Scan Tool, purchased for students in the Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician program, will allow students to troubleshoot many of the systems found in today’s high-tech vehicles.