KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO) - The Kalamazoo Schools and Kalamazoo Township police have issued a joint statement, saying next fall, they are going to split the cost of providing a full time police officer for Kalamazoo Central High School. They began negotiations in the fall, and say getting a deal early was critical because it will take a while to hire and train a new officer for the post. ‘Chief Tim Bourgeois says they are glad to renew the partnership.

Apparently the Township supplied an officer until 2008, when tight budgets force the department to end the practice.  The annual cost is about $75-thousand for pay, benefits and equipment.