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Board briefed on SRO memorandum of understanding; sheriff reviewed agreement, principals keep discipline authority
Summary
Staff presented an informational memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the sheriff's office describing SRO duties, training, and coordination; presentation emphasized SROs report to the sheriff's chain of command while principals retain school discipline authority.
School staff presented an informational memorandum of understanding with the sheriff's office that outlines the role, training and coordination of school resource officers (SROs) and the district's expectations for the partnership. The sheriff reportedly reviewed the draft MOU and made no requested changes prior to the presentation.
Why it matters: The MOU sets the operational expectations for how law enforcement will be assigned to schools, what duties SROs will perform, and how the district and sheriff will coordinate during emergencies and threat assessments.
Staff described the MOU's stated mission as collaborative: to prevent juvenile delinquency, maintain school safety, and foster positive student attitudes toward law enforcement. The presentation listed SRO duties including relationship building, educating students about rights and responsibilities, investigating criminal activity on school property consistent with law-enforcement policy, and supporting emergency safety audits and event coverage. The presenters said SROs are appointed by the sheriff’s department but are coordinated with input from the superintendent and that SROs report through the sheriff's chain of command.
The district said principals retain authority over school operations and school discipline, and that SROs are not part of the formal discipline process. The MOU calls for SRO participation on threat assessment teams, usually on the second tier after an initial triage by school staff, and for SRO involvement in suicide risk assessments and coordination of social service referrals when needed. Presenters said regular meetings with law enforcement are scheduled at least monthly and that the district will provide office space, security access and training opportunities for SROs.
Ending: Staff framed the SRO program as a partnership intended to support safety and prevention while preserving school leadership's operational authority.
