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future of the Valley City school district resource officer position is uncertain due to a bleak financial picture painted by Superintendent Dean Koppelman during a special board meeting.

Valley City administrator Jon Cameron told the school board that funding for the position will end on November 1 unless another grant or government agency can come up with slightly more than $38,000 dollars to see the position through the end of the next school year.

School board members gave a strong show of support for the position during the meeting.

Board president Sharon Buhr says school resource officer Phil Hatcher has had a positive effect on students and the school district during his first year on the job.

Hatcher told the board the position has had a positive effect on his life as well.

Hatcher says the experience seems to have been beneficial to students and teachers as he gain the trust of many throughout the school year.

Students anonymously called or text-tipped their problems to Hatcher about a confidential problem they may have had during the school year.

The board tabled the issue for a later discussion. Hatcher appears to have a lot of support but Koppelman said the position may have to be cut if no other funding options are available.

Hatcher acted as a bridge to students, teachers and the administration during his first year on the job. He’ll be back on his normal police beat this summer.

Bismarck, Jamestown and Fargo also have school resource officers.