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Fallbrook board hears SRO cost estimate of about $454,887; funding options remain unresolved
Summary
District staff told the board a 2025–26 school resource officer would cost approximately $454,887 including salary, benefits, vehicle and overhead; board members questioned alternatives, deputizing staff and cost‑sharing, and staff said they would continue to explore options.
District staff presented a multi‑year account of efforts to secure a school resource officer (SRO) and provided an estimated 2025–26 cost of roughly $454,887 to fund an SRO position, which the presenter said includes salaries, benefits, equipment, vehicle and department overhead.
The presenter (speaker 1) summarized prior work with Fallbrook Sheriff substation contacts and described attempts at cost‑sharing with several neighboring districts before commitment shortfalls. The speaker listed the cost breakdown: vehicle $61,527.75, additional one‑time start‑up costs ~$27,940 (part of a total listed start‑up amount of $89,467.75), salaries and benefits about $265,688, equipment $21,884 and department overhead of 29.3% (~$77,846).
Board members asked whether other districts were required to purchase a vehicle; the presenter said county research found no other districts had been asked to buy the vehicle historically, and that vehicle purchase remains a sticking point given public‑fund restrictions. Trustees also suggested exploring deputy training for existing staff with a stipend; the presenter said they would research Education Code implications and return with findings.
No final funding decision was made during the meeting. Staff said they will continue to pursue partnerships, grant opportunities and alternative models to support campus safety without creating budget shortfalls.
Ending: The board recognized the safety priority and asked staff to keep pursuing feasible options; no formal vote to adopt the SRO funding was recorded in the transcript.
