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Gilroy and Gilroy Unified discuss joint-use facilities, SRO roles and community immigration resources
Summary
City and school officials, community groups and residents discussed expanding joint-use agreements, clarifying school resource officer roles and sharing immigration-rights resources; council staff said joint-use and facilities matters can be pursued at staff level, while SRO deployment is decided by the school district.
City and school-district representatives, community leaders and residents discussed joint-use agreements for school and city facilities, the role of school resource officers (SROs) and available immigration-related resources during a Gilroy City Council / Gilroy Unified School District joint session and public comment period.
School resource officers and prevention: Several speakers urged greater integration of school community resource officers into proactive school teams rather than solely as responders. A district representative said SROs “respond when they’re needed” and are not fully integrated into school climate or multidisciplinary service teams, while other participants described SROs’ regular presence on campuses as “breaking the ice” during social contacts.
Community prevention and South County Youth Task Force: Multiple councilmembers and residents recommended elevating the South County Youth Task Force (SCYTF) to coordinate prevention work across partners. Councilmember Hilton and others said SCYTF already brings together policy and technical teams, nonprofits and schools; one trustee noted Gilroy Unified enrolls about 10,100 students, roughly one-fifth of the city population, and argued broader collaboration could expand prevention work on topics such as vaping, suicide prevention and youth health.
Joint-use agreements and facilities access: Residents and Parks and Recreation commissioners urged restoring or updating joint-use agreements so neighborhoods can use school fields and facilities during non-school hours; two parks (Roble Park and Rainbow Park) were cited as having reduced public access after district-installed fences. City Manager Jimmy Forbus told the meeting that joint-use issues such as fences can be addressed at the staff level and that the city can offer recommendations to the school district, but that SRO deployments are provided by the city at the district’s request.
Immigration resources: Councilmembers asked the police department whether the city provides immigration-related resources or “know your rights” information. Captain Rocha said the police department has used social media and community presentations to communicate that Gilroy police do not enforce federal immigration laws; the police department’s immigration policy is posted on the department’s transparency page.
Why this matters: Speakers framed joint-use agreements and coordinated prevention as low-cost ways to expand youth programs and community health supports. The council asked staff to explore updates to joint-use agreements and to consider placing SCYTF updates on future agendas to discuss elevated city-district collaboration.
Public input and follow-up: Community members, including recreation commissioners, Sunrise Rotary and nonprofit representatives, encouraged city-district cooperation on facilities, youth programs and referrals; the council asked staff to pursue best-practice options for joint use and return with recommendations to the relevant boards and commissions.
