Burrell superintendent concerned about police coverage in schools

Burrell School District Superintendent Shannon Wagner said she has grown concerned about the quality of police coverage in the district since School Resource Officer John Marhefka was appointed Lower Burrell’s acting police chief earlier this month.

The city’s department has been filling in for Marhefka in the school district with different officers who rotate on a weekly basis.

“While the district appreciates the presence of an officer in the buildings, the interim arrangement does not work to build the relationship needed to ensure the continuity of our safety plan,” Wagner told the school board at a recent meeting.

When city council reorganized earlier this month, Mayor John Andrejcik said he hoped to appoint a permanent chief next month. Now he anticipates making the appointment by mid-March.

Wagner said if the rotating arrangement continues for months, she wants to revisit Burrell’s contract with the city. The contract runs until June 2022.

Wagner has requested a meeting with Andrejcik and Marhefka.

Andrejcik said he is working with a labor attorney and others to find a permanent chief.

“You can be sure that Dr. Wagner’s concerns about police officer transition issues at the school will be put to rest in the near future,” he said.

Markefka has been Burrell’s school resource officer for five years and has been working with district students for the 25 years.

“All of those students are like my children,” Marhefka said. “I am never going to just walk away from the school district. I still plan on being involved in the all the programs.”