Parker signs addendum with Douglas County School District to add two school resource officers

The Town of Parker approved an addendum to its intergovernmental agreement with Douglas County School District RE-1 to add two additional school resource officers (SROs).

Chief Sarabas told council Parker currently provides five SROs and one sergeant overseeing the program. Under the addendum the school district will pay 100% of startup costs, salaries and benefits for the first year; after that, costs revert to the standard 50/50 split in the existing contract.

The district has a long-term goal of placing an SRO in every school; Chief Sarabas said adding positions helps the district move toward that goal. The addendum covers the 2025–26 school year start (district fiscal year July–July) and the district requested expanded coverage. The chief said one of the new positions is planned to add a second SRO at Legend High School; the other would serve as a roving officer among elementary and charter schools.

Council members praised the program’s relationship-building role in schools and noted operational benefits, including shorter response times for incidents and early intervention through training and positive contact. Council approved Ordinance No. 9.2990.2 on second reading unanimously.

The addendum moves forward as a partnership: the district funds the first-year costs, the town provides officers and will share ongoing costs with the district under the existing agreement. The council did not change the existing 50/50 split for subsequent years; the change is a temporary first-year funding arrangement by the district.