HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-16-2019 Item 10, MOA with SL Coastal for School Resource Officer Department Name: Police
Cost Center: 8002
For Agenda of: April 16, 2019
Placement: Consent
Estimated Time: N/A
FROM: Deanna Cantrell, Chief of Police
Prepared By: Jeff Smith, Police Captain
SUBJECT: MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT WITH THE SAN LUIS COASTAL
UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR A SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER
RECOMMENDATION
1. Authorize the City Manager to sign a Memorandum of Agreement with the San Luis Coastal
Unified School District for the funding of a School Resource Officer (SRO) in the amount of
approximately $199,427 for FY 2019-20 and $195,410 in FY 2020-21.
2. Approve the hiring of an additional police officer (1.0 FTE) to backfill for the SRO position.
DISCUSSION
Background
As a result of budget reductions during the 2011-13 Financial Plan, the police department had to
eliminate positions including a SRO position. At that time, staff approached the school district
about the possibility of contributing funding for the position. Ultimately, in FY 2011-12, the San
Luis Obispo Unified School District agreed to fund an SRO position at 75%. The City continued
to receive a portion of funding from the district until FY 2016-17. Due to fiscal challenges the
school district ceased funding at that time.
Current Situation
Due to lack of resources, the department has been unable to staff an SRO position. Just recently,
the San Luis Coastal Unified School District Superintendent approached department staff to
develop a new Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), which included 100% funding for the
position of a SRO and an outline of primary duties. The Department will utilize an existing
officer to fill this role, and since the position will be solely assigned to the school district, this
will create a vacancy in Patrol that will need to be filled. To fill this void in patrol, department
staff is requesting to hire an additional police officer upon the approval of the MOA.
The San Luis Obispo Police Department recognizes and supports the need for safe schools and a
safe learning environment for the community’s youth. In furtherance of that goal, the San Luis
Obispo Police Department SRO shall work in partnership with San Luis Coastal Unified School
District toward this end. The purpose of the MOU is to facilitate a clear understanding of
funding, roles, duties, and responsibilities. The expectations set forth in the MOU will help to
minimize confusion, and to provide consistency between officers, schools, principals, and school
staff. The MOA is attached to this staff report for review.
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Policy Context
Fiscal Health Response Plan – Funding from the San Luis Coastal Unified School District for the
SRO position would be considered a new way of doing business.
Public Engagement
This item is on the agenda for the April 16, 2019 City Council meeting and will follow all required
postings and notifications. The public may comment on this item at or before the meeting.
CONCURRENCE
The City Manager, Police Chief and City Attorney have reviewed the MOA and concur with the
terms of the agreement.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The California Environmental Quality Act does not apply to the recommended action in this
report, because the action does not constitute a "Project" under CEQA Guidelines Sec. 15378.
FISCAL IMPACT
Budgeted:
Funding Identified: Yes
Fiscal Analysis:
Funding Sources
Total Budget
Available
Current
Funding
Request
Remaining
Balance
Annual
Ongoing Cost
General Fund
Federal
Fees
Other: SLCUSD $199,427 $195,410
Total
The school Board approved the MOA on March 19th. The table below shows the breakdown of
estimated costs over the next two years for the School Resource Officer position.
SRO Estimated Costs
2019-20 2020-21
Salary & Benefits (based on top step) 165,827 171,610
Officer Safety Equipment 8,500
SRO Specific Training Course 1,300
Est. Officer Overtime* 23,800 23,800
Est. Total 199,427 195,410
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*Note: Overtime costs are based on an annual average and includes all types of overtime, the school
district's payment will be less and only related to SRO duties.
ALTERNATIVE
1. City Council could choose to not approve this MOA. Without the agreement and funding the
Police Department will not be able to place a fulltime SRO within the schools.
2. If Council does not approve the backfill the SRO position, this would create a shortage
within Patrol staffing. With the shortage, the department would not be able to fill the SRO
position designated within the MOA.
Attachments:
a - MOU SRO_EP Signed
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