LaSalle County's Public Safety committee voted to forward an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with Serena schools to the full county board, subject to review and approval by the State's Attorney.

Under the proposed IGA Serena would reimburse the county for the salary and insurance portion of a deputy assigned primarily to Serena schools. The county presented two reimbursement figures based on insurance status: $65,687 for a deputy with single insurance and $81,942 for a deputy with family coverage, calculated on the portion of the year the deputy would spend in the school system.

Sheriff's Office staff told the committee the SRO program currently operates three deputies who rotate among 13 schools; Serena's request reflects higher local student population and daily needs. Committee members noted SRO duties include more than emergency response: deputies assist with fights, bullying, inappropriate communications and other student conduct matters, and they build relationships with students through routine contact.

"They help with the students. They have good relationship with the kids and stuff," a committee member said in support of the arrangement.

The motion to forward the IGA to the full board passed with the condition that the State's Attorney review the agreement language before execution. The committee directed staff to provide the State's Attorney with the draft IGA for legal review and to present the IGA for final approval at the next board meeting.