Watertown City School District officials say they understand the move made by Watertown City Council on Monday to cut funding from the city budget for a second school resource officer and said they still hope to work with the city in the future.

"I understand that they have the same kind of budget issues that we have, and I certainly understand their decision," district Superintendent Terry N. Fralick said.

"Maybe in the future we can look at it again," he said.

The city and school district started a similar agreement in August 2007 when John E. Montrois became the resource officer at the high school. The proposed second officer would have patrolled Case Middle and H.T. Wiley Intermediate schools.

It would have cost the city about $20,000 and the school district $55,000 in the upcoming fiscal year.

"We've got one SRO and we're very pleased and grateful that we have one," Mr. Fralick said. "Two would be even better, but we really appreciate the collaboration of having one."

Mr. Fralick said he isn't concerned about the safety or security of the middle and intermediate schools, but was looking for "another uniformed officer to work with issues with students."

"I've always viewed the SRO position as a counselor position rather than a law enforcement position," he said. "The officer sends a stronger influence of authority. It's more about early intervention than response as law enforcement officer."

Mr. Fralick said that after the budget is adopted, the Board of Education will discuss how it will use the $55,000 set aside for the officer. The money might be used for something else, he said, or could go toward decreasing the tax levy.

Mr. Fralick and other district officials met with state Education Department representatives Tuesday to discuss the Contract for Excellence.

The school district's proposed budget would buck state regulations for the program by not using the money as designated in the contract.

Mr. Fralick said the meeting Tuesday was very productive and he hopes a "creative solution" will come out of it.

Mr. Fralick and other district officials will put together a proposal that will allow the district to spend the money as it needs it, but still adhere to state regulations.

"We came away encouraged that we can respond back to them with a plan that will meet what they've laid out for us for more flexibility," he said. "They gave us some guidelines as far as redesigning our programs that would allow for the flexibility. I think that given the directions that they've provided we'll be able to meet those criteria. It's going to help us understand the Contract for Excellence better and help state ed understand our goals for the money. I think when we're finished we'll really have a strong proposal for them to review."