The Greater Altoona Career and Technology Center Joint Operating Committee unanimously approved the creation of a full-time school police officer position during its Monday night meeting.

The GACTC had previously relied on a contract with the Altoona Area School District to deploy one of their school police officers in the building, according to Interim Director Nicole Zernick.

Under the new agreement, the GACTC will pay for the $45,000 starting salary and benefits package for the officer, who will officially be a GACTC employee, while still relying on the AASD’s police department for officer training and guidance.

According to the position’s job description, the officer will patrol the GACTC campus and monitor arrival/dismissal to ensure the safety of students, staff and visitors.

The officer will also be responsible for responding to emergency situations on campus and enforcing all relevant federal, state and local laws, per the job’s description.

In other business, the committee approved the final adoption of the 2025-26 operating budget after receiving approval from all eight member districts.

In addition, the committee approved the purchase of eight laptop computers from Dell Technologies at a cost of $10,495.28 through state contract pricing.

These computers will be brought online throughout the remainder of the school year and are a part of ongoing efforts to replace outdated equipment in the building, according to Technology Coordinator Rob Gutshall.

J.W. Fleming Inc. of Duncansville was hired to repair, seal and stripe parking lots four and five at a total cost of $24,894.99, with work to be completed over the summer, Zernick said.