Navasota approves renewed MOU with school district for four school resource officers

The Navasota City Council voted Monday to approve a memorandum of understanding with Navasota Independent School District to provide four school resource officers (SROs) to district schools within city limits. "We started the contract about 3 years ago, having a written contract with them, which we had 2 officers," Chief Mark Moss told the council. "As the laws changed, we had to have an officer for each school." Under the current arrangement described by Moss, the district pays portions of payroll and supplies the patrol vehicles, which the district titles to the city; the city outfits the officers, trains them and covers maintenance and some summertime payroll costs when officers are not assigned to school duties. Moss said officers split time between school assignment and regular patrol shifts. Councilman Cook moved to approve the MOU; Councilman Harris seconded the motion. "All in favor say aye," the mayor called; no opposition was recorded and the measure carried. Moss and council members emphasized that SROs are not substitutes for school counselors and that officers participate in training and programs such as crime stoppers and a P3 tips program that allow students other avenues to report concerns. The school superintendent, who approved the agreement on the district side prior to the council meeting, indicated the district would consider an evergreen or multi-year clause for future agreements but that was not part of Monday's vote. No changes to the number of officers were made by the council; the MOU formalizes the existing four-officer arrangement.