Commissioners table SRO memorandum of understanding; ask schools and city to clarify overtime and liability

Callahan County commissioners on Feb. 24 discussed a proposed memorandum of understanding among the county, the City of Baird and Barrett ISD to fund a school resource officer (SRO) and ultimately tabled the item for further edits.

Chad, who addressed the court about the MOU, said the MOU as drafted would be funded primarily by the school and city and that the county would provide a vehicle. He said the school would pay roughly $40,000 per year toward the position and that the county had built a small overtime allowance into the agreement to cover investigative needs such as forensic interviews (CACs) that may require travel.

Commissioners and other speakers pressed for explicit language to make clear the county will not be liable for overtime or extra-duty pay for extracurricular activities and asked for the city and school to reapprove the amended draft. The agreement in the packet lists a term beginning Sept. 1, 2025 and ending Aug. 30, 2026; meeting participants discussed that start date and said the county could wait to begin the SRO assignment until a candidate is hired.

Commissioner Clark moved to table the MOU so the county, city and school can revise language addressing overtime and extra-duty responsibilities; Commissioner Windham seconded and the motion passed by voice vote with no recorded opposition.

The court emphasized the goal of placing a trained, proactive officer on campus for day-to-day presence while avoiding county liability for extracurricular event staffing, and directed staff to return the revised MOU for future consideration.