GREENSBURG, La. (Louisiana First) — It's been a few months since the St. Helena School System fired Deputy Chad Dupuy, a school resource officer hired through a grant obtained by the school district at the beginning of the school year.   Although he is terminated, he is still employed by the St. Helena Sheriff’s Office and can be found outside the campus. School officials, staff and students want to put the grant to good use and get a replacement that aligns with the school but the sheriff denies the plea.  School officials said they were excited to get a resource officer for a much-needed extra layer of protection, but after a few incidents, they had to let him go. “It was concerning to him being on the campus,” said a St. Helena Parish School District student who wants to remain anonymous.  While Dupuy was on campus, he was accused of having an aggressive reputation. “I wasn’t sure how to approach him with a problem or a situation,” said the student.  Superintendent Dr. Kelli Joseph said Dupuy came on board in August 2024. The district has been searching for funds for a resource officer for a while now, especially after a shooting in 2023 that left a student dead. This school year through a state safety grant she obtained a goal, hiring a resource officer.  “We wanted to make sure that we had, you know, systems in place to ensure that our kids are safe during the school day,” said Joseph.  Some educators said the Dupuy caused panic and left students with trauma.  “He chased one of the learners in the class and was hollering at her,” said Kassaundra Foreman, a special education teacher. Foreman said a student with special needs had a hoodie, which was against the school dress code. The principal asked Dupuy to help, which escalated the situation. "He was like, give it to me or you go to jail. I would take you to jail.' And she's like, 'No, I'm cold. Please, please, just let me keep it. It's the only one I have. My mom can’t afford to buy me another one, so please, can I keep it on?' and he's like, 'No. And if you don't take it off right now, I'm going to call DCFS,'” she said.  Staff emails shared with Louisiana First News show the staff's response to the incident. St. Helena Parish Sheriff Clay Chutz said he has doubts, and said Dupuy passed a lie detector test in regards to the specific incident.  "I specifically asked him, 'Did he threaten to arrest her?' They said, 'Nope, not according to the polygraph test.' 'Did he threaten to incarcerate her?' 'Nope.' 'Did he threaten to take the hoodie off of her?' 'No. Didn't do any of that,'” said Chutz.  When shown an email from a teacher about the incident, he suggested everyone involved take a polygraph test.  Last November, a heated school board meeting announced the termination of Dupuy to community members. The reasoning of what led to the cause was discussed.  As the new semester starts, students still see Dupuy patrolling outside. Chutz said Dupuy will continue to be employed by him and doesn't think the officer deserved to be removed. “I've hired him with that grant, and if I bring another one in, I don't think they're going to pay me a double budget for it. I'm sure they're not,” he said. "I want but one thing for that school, I want it to be the safest possible place it can be for our kids to learn and our teachers to teach." Livonia High School student hurt in stabbing Tuesday morning; new safety policy in place Joseph said she used other school funds to hire a different resource officer but hopes to get a replacement to Depuy that aligns with the school district.  “Our kids need someone who shows that they care. Our kids need someone who is also firm, fair, and consistent. We do need that, but someone who is also willing to develop those relationships with them so that our kids won't feel afraid or apprehensive to go up to them if they need them for any reason,” she said. Latest News St. Helena Parish School District looking to replace resource officer amid concerns, sheriff's office refuses City of Central plans to improve town with 'Mainstreet 2030' initiative How does cold weather impact the Louisiana crawfish industry? Baton Rouge community members meet Mayor-President's Chief of Staff St. George city council approve mayor, police chief salaries in Tuesday meeting