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Father offers $30,000 to keep officer in school By DANI DODGE ASHLAND -- Even though a federal grant is running out, a school resource officer will continue to walk the halls of Ashland High School thanks to the generosity of a father. "A person said they would make sure we had the money to fund a school resource officer," said Ashland Schools Superintendent John Daggett. A three-year federal grant financing a school resource officer at Ashland High School will run out in December. The school district was hoping new grants or state money would continue to pay for the $60,000 position, but those options are uncertain. With the city willing to fund half of the cost, $30,000 was still needed. When a parent of some children in the district heard about the dilemma, he pledged his own money to continue the position. Daggett said the person wants to be anonymous at this time. "I'm delighted," said Ashland High School principal Julie Reynolds."This has made the relationship with police and the kids much better." Reynolds said officer Teri DeSilva has had a big impact on the students at Ashland High School since she began working there full time a little more than two years ago. She's done classroom presentations, kept rowdies in line and attended school dances and football games. "She's everywhere the kids are," Reynolds said. "She's a natural presence on campus, and kids don't look negatively on her at all." Ashland police Sgt. Rich Walsh said the students talk to DeSilva about family problems and issues with their friends. "Our school officer has been able to handle situations that may have escalated down the road and she's been able to take care of it before things get out of hand," he said. Officer Malcus Williams will take over as school resource officer next year, Reynolds said. Reynolds and Daggett both said the school will look first to grants and state funding for the position before they take money from a parent for the officer's position. But, they said, they are grateful a community member would be willing to pony up the funds to keep an officer at the school. "(DeSilva's) been a positive influence on campus in addition to keeping up with kids who have had brushes with the law, keeping them in the groove and keeping them out of trouble," Reynolds said. "It's been a great community resource." Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA