When the Byron Union School District reopens for business on Aug. 1, Deputy David Allain will be among those on campus welcoming students back to school. But for the popular school resource officer (SRO), it’s the gig that almost wasn’t.

“David’s been saved,” said Lt. Mike Burton of Delta Station. “It came right down to the wire, though. The poor guy came to work every day not knowing if he had a job or not. We’re all very thankful.”

And no one more than Allain.

“I’m glad it all worked out,” said the Discovery Bay resident of his extended contract with the school district. “And I’m very grateful for the opportunity to continue in this role. I’ll do my best to serve the residents of Discovery Bay and the school district.”

The school resource officer position was originally funded through a California Department of Education grant and supported by a partnership with the school district, Contra Costa supervisors and the sheriff’s office. When Allain came to the job last September – replacing the current SRO – the program was on the final leg of its five-year, $500,000 grant. A lack of alternative funding for the following year put the position in jeopardy.

However, thanks to the generosity of the Discovery Bay P-6 Committee (an advisory body that helps fund police services), Allain will remain on the job for at least another year. The committee is picking up the tab for the next 12 months, approximately $200,000 for a full-time deputy plus a patrol car.

“The P-6 committee is funding it all; it’s pretty amazing,” said Burton. “They have been unbelievably supportive. Their focus has always been on how to best benefit the community, and this is just another example of that.”

Because of ongoing budget cuts in the sheriff’s office as well as the school district, had the P-6 committee not stepped up, it’s likely the SRO program would have been eliminated. What will happen next year, however, remains to be seen.

“It’s kind of band-aid, but it does buy us some time,” said Burton.

For Byron Superintendent Ken Jacopetti, it’s a band-aid the district is happy to use. “Deputy Allain has been an outstanding fit for us and we are definitely pleased he will be with us for another year,” said Jacopetti. “There is such a need for this program, and this additional year will give us a chance to look for funding in terms of grants or whatever else might be available.”

For his part, Allain will continue to do the job he was assigned: protecting the students and families of Discovery Bay. “I really see myself as a liaison between the school district and the sheriff’s office,” said Allain in a previous interview with The Press. “I love working with the kids, building their trust and helping them where I can. It’s a very gratifying job.”