Washington Unified board reopens SRO discussion; asks staff for cost estimate to present at next meeting

Washington Unified School District trustees reopened an informational discussion on school resource officers (SROs) on Aug. 9, hearing a lengthy staff presentation on safety data and sustained public testimony both for and against returning a dedicated peace officer to campuses. After extensive debate, the board directed staff to work with the West Sacramento Police Department to produce a dollar estimate — framed as the cost for half of one peace officer (two-year MOU parameters were discussed) — and to bring that figure back as an action item at the next regular meeting so the board can consider setting the amount aside in the budget.

Assistant Superintendent Jay Burns led the district’s presentation, which combined student- and staff-survey results with discipline and staffing numbers. Burns said the district’s staff surveys showed high reported feelings of safety among employees and noted a drop in suspensions following changes to state law and restorative practices, adding that the district has increased counseling and wellness supports, including psychologists, nurses and youth outreach specialists. “We want students and staff to feel both emotionally safe and physically safe,” Burns said during the presentation.

Public testimony that followed illustrated sharp differences in community views. Supporters of renewed police partnerships argued officers can deter violence and provide rapid responses. Ruth Pagano Tern, a parent who said she had worked with SROs in the past, asked trustees to consider models used by neighboring districts and to restore police support for sporting events and campus incidents. “We already have community partnerships with them,” she said.

Opponents raised research and equity concerns. Dr. Amber Bradley, a River City teacher and researcher, told the board that evidence across decades shows SROs do not reduce school-targeted violence but do raise arrest and disciplinary rates for students of color and students with disabilities. “Adding police to our school campuses increases the impact of the school-to-prison pipeline,” Bradley said, and urged trustees to prioritize counselors and restorative programs instead.

Several trustees said they were open to reimagining the role — for example, nonuniform or nonarmed officers, youth academies and partnerships focused on services rather than enforcement — and emphasized the importance of community engagement before any formal agreement. Trustees voiced a specific procedural next step: staff should contact the Police Department to confirm current costs and MOU parameters and present a recommended dollar amount for a two-year commitment (the board discussed setting aside half of one officer’s cost as a starting point) at the Sept. 12 meeting. Staff said they would try to return the information by that date but warned some details required by the city or PD might delay a formal figure.

No binding policy or hiring decision was made; the item was presented as information only and the board’s direction was to gather cost and partnership options. The district emphasized that any future MOU would be subject to community consultation, a board vote and detailed contract terms spelling out duties, training requirements and limits on enforcement authority.