Acting Superintendent Dan Phillips told the Fairfax City School Board on Nov. 10 that the memorandum of understanding (MOU) governing interactions between school resource officers and the city schools has been updated and circulated for legal review, following a public comment period. He said the existing agreement remained in effect while the revision took place and that the city expects Fairfax County Public Schools to complete its final legal check "late November, early December," after which the MOU would go for final signatures by the police chief and superintendents.

Dan Phillips said the revision process drew on public comments gathered by the district’s communications office, the state model MOU, the City of Fairfax Police policies and FCPS student rights and responsibilities. "We've been working for quite some time on the memorandum of understanding for the school resource officers," Phillips said, describing a multi-agency review that included staff, SROs and legal counsel.

Captain Catherine Hawkins of the City of Fairfax Police, who co-led the update with Phillips and FCPS staff, said the department pushed the draft through its policy and legal review and plans to require acknowledgement of the MOU across sworn personnel. Hawkins also noted the department’s near-term accreditation work: "We're hoping later this month we will be accredited through CALEA," she said, adding that policy review and weekly updates are part of how officers stay current on guidance related to schools.

Board members asked about SRO assignments, whether those roles rotate or are permanent, and how SROs will be trained to work with students who have individualized education programs (IEPs). Hawkins said SRO positions are filled through an internal competitive process and that officers generally remain in school assignments unless removed for cause. On student records and accommodations, Hawkins and Phillips said SROs should coordinate with school administrators and teachers on case-by-case needs; administrators remain responsible for student-discipline decisions and must ensure SROs have the information needed to implement accommodations.

Phillips said the city will publish the final MOU on the FCPS and City Schools websites and will make it an expectation that administrators and SROs read and sign off on the document; he also said the districts will schedule routine review so the agreement remains current.

Next steps: staff expect final FCPS legal sign-off before the end of the calendar year, followed by posting and distribution to schools for implementation and training.