Catalina Foothills board reviews first reading of revised safety program policy tied to HB 2074

The Catalina Foothill School District Governing Board on Tuesday reviewed a first reading of revisions to Policy EB, the district's Safety Program, prompted by changes in state law under House Bill 2074. The presentation outlined new statutory language that expands purchasing options for school safety programs to include technology, training and infrastructure improvements and adds requirements tied to state safety-assessment providers.

The proposed policy changes were presented by Dr. Bartlett (presenter). He told the board that HB 2074 amends relevant Arizona Revised Statutes and adds requirements, including a five-year safety-assessment cycle using an approved state provider and new definitions for school resource officers and school safety officers. "Our SROs are not funded through these programs. They're funded through the Pima County Sheriff's Department," Dr. Bartlett said, noting the district currently does not apply for those state safety program funds.

Nut graf: The revisions would align district policy with recently passed state law but are presently a first reading; board members emphasized the district's existing safety work and that adoption would only be required if the district sought the new state funds. Board discussion noted the district completed a comprehensive safety assessment in 2023 and has already used bond dollars and other capital funds for security upgrades.

Board members asked whether the district anticipates applying for the newly authorized safety funding this fiscal year; Dr. Bartlett said, "No." The presentation listed that a school resource officer (SRO) would be defined as a certified peace officer or a retired Arizona peace officer employed through a law-enforcement agency, and a school safety officer could be a school resource officer working off duty. The revisions also add ARS-related language requiring districts that receive safety program monies to develop an emergency response plan and complete a safety assessment every five years using a state-approved provider.

Board members discussed that the district performed an outside safety assessment in 2023 that prompted upgrades such as entry security improvements, the Centegix alert system and perimeter fencing. One board member said the district initially spent about $1 million of capital funding after that assessment and "another half mil" for the Centegix system. Dr. Bartlett and trustees agreed a five-year reassessment cadence is reasonable to capture future needs.

Because this was a first reading, no policy adoption vote occurred. The policy will return for a second reading and further edits (including minor grammatical fixes identified by trustees) at a subsequent meeting.