AUBURN -- Two area school districts are set to receive a school resource office courtesy of the Cayuga County Sheriff's Office.

The Cayuga County Legislature voted Tuesday at its monthly meeting to authorize two new deputy positions in the sheriff's office. One would serve as the resource office at the Port Byron school district, the other at the Union Springs School District.

According to Port Byron Superintendent Neil O'Brien, this would be the first time the district has had an officer on its campus in at least six years. The last time, the officer came from the state police, O'Brien said.

This will be the first resource officer for Union Springs, Superintendent Linda Rice said. The officer will be able to build trust with the students while enhancing safety and security on campuses, Rice said.

Union Springs does not have a police department and the closest sheriff's station is at least 30 minutes away, Rice added.

"You never know what can happen today," she said. "Unfortunately, anything is possible, and we want to protect our kids."

Before the legislators voted on the resolution, O'Brien spoke during a public hearing. He related a conversation which had taken place between himself and a student. During the conversation, he asked if a law enforcement officer would deter students from bringing prohibited materials like drugs onto campus. The student said it would, O'Brien said.

"Now you understand why I like SROs," he said. "There's just something magnetic about a sheriff's car in the parking lot when people pull into school."

In other news:

- County employees are claiming the county is violating union contracts by implementing an employee handbook, according to county officials. County Attorney Fred Westphal said Tuesday that the Civil Service Employees Association union has filed a motion accusing the county of improper labor procedure.

Westphal said after the meeting that he did not know any further information on the topic. The motion is being handled by the county's labor attorney, he said.

County Manager Wayne Allen said that the union is claiming the county is violating its contract with employees by implementing a handbook without sitting down and discussing the matter with union officials.

"The county's position is that this is not a contract issue. The handbook is only a basic reference guide," Allen said.

Read the full report in Wednesday's edition of The Citizen.