Bixby board approves contracts with city for four school resource officers at $275,733

The Bixby Board of Education on July 17 approved two contracts with the City of Bixby to provide four school resource officers (SROs) for the 2025-26 fiscal year at a combined cost of $275,733.28. Why it matters: The contracts fund law-enforcement presence at district schools and the district said it is pursuing grants to add officers. District staff said the cost rise reflects labor negotiations by the city and that the allocation method did not change: where officers spend a defined percentage of their time with the schools, the district pays that percentage of salary. The board noted two of the current SROs spend 82% of their time at district campuses and the district covers 82% of those salaries; the city pays the remainder. District officials said Police Chief Blish and his team are applying for grants to fund three additional SRO positions, and the district hopes to secure at least two fully funded officers so the district would not add to its local cost. The board approved the contracts by voice vote.