High School May Get Campus Deputy

The City Council plans to discuss adding a uniformed sheriff’s deputy at Moorpark High School next month.

The topic came up at last Wednesday’s council meeting but was tabled pending a city budget study session June 9.

The idea originated with Moorpark Rotary Club President Steve Sills, who pledged to donate $10,000 toward hiring a full-time deputy to patrol the campus during school hours.

According to a city staff report, hiring a sheriff’s deputy would cost about $105,000 annually.

Sheriff’s Department Capt. Mike Lewis said he has spoken with Moorpark Unified School Supt. Tom Duffy about the issue.

“His position is that if the City Council will support putting this position in, then he will include the district’s share of the cost in his budget,” Lewis said.

Lewis said he has talked with Duffy about the possibility of having the deputy teach a course at the high school.

“The other thing I’m excited about is actually making the officer an instructor, and Tom’s vision is that by getting the right officer with an educational background, perhaps he or she can qualify for a teaching credential and maybe we can have him teach a class each semester,” Lewis said. “We see him as being the resource officer, but we also see him as being an educator.”