NEWTON FALLS, Ohio (WKBN) — The Newton Falls Exempted Village School District is currently without a permanent school resource officer.

In a statement posted on Tuesday, the district said it was a miscommunication. But village leadership said interim Superintendent Justin Christopher failed to notify the Board of Education about a rate increase for a school resource officer.

Before the Newton Falls police department’s disbandment in January, the village of Newton Falls was still paying the benefits package. Now, the school district is responsible.

“The village seemed to believe there was a verbal agreement that we would pay higher cost of SRO. However, that was never agreed,” Christopher said.

However, Newton Falls city manager Pam Priddy provided First News with emails that show the village did tell Christopher about the rate increase.

“I feel like he dropped the ball and did not present it to his school board,” Priddy said. “I’m not responsible for the school district, I’m responsible for the village of Newton Falls.”

Trumbull County sheriff’s deputies are patrolling campus with periodic walk-throughs.

The Newton Falls School Board will meet this Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the elementary/middle school building to discuss a situation regarding the school resource officer.