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Board discusses SRO funding, cites Idaho statute and plans to update district policies
Summary
Board reviewed SRO funding that used part of a settlement and school-safety grant, discussed using roughly $12,500 from the general fund to extend coverage through January, and directed staff to update multiple district policies to match Idaho Code 33-6001 paragraph 7 on parent notification.
Board discussion on school resource officers (SROs) focused on two linked issues: short-term funding and policy alignment with state law. Staff reported that the district had funded one half of a $50,000 SRO arrangement from a school-safety grant and roughly half of an additional $25,000 settlement payment; the remaining estimated cost through January could be covered by about $12,500 from the general fund.
"We received about half of that 25,000 from that settlement," Speaker 3 said while describing the one-time settlement funds and the school-safety grant that helped cover the first half of the SRO costs. The board signaled support for using general-fund dollars to maintain SRO presence through the end of the fiscal window and asked staff to bring related items back for formal action in January.
Board members also raised policy concerns. Speaker 2 recited relevant statutory language: "Idaho code 33 6 0 0 1, paragraph 7, states, a public school shall notify a student's parent or legal guardian if a student has been or might be questioned by a school resource officer or any other law enforcement official unless the child is a victim or suspected victim of child abuse." Board members noted that several district policies (listed in the meeting as policy numbers) have not been updated since 2013 and currently say staff should "make an effort" to notify parents, language that does not match the statutory requirement.
The board asked staff to review and revise the relevant policies and the working agreement with the sheriff to ensure legal compliance. Staff said they would highlight areas that need immediate language changes and bring recommended revisions for reading and potential action in January or February so the board can comply with the state code.
No final policy vote occurred at this meeting; the discussion resulted in direction to draft updated policy language and to include the SRO funding request on the January action agenda for formal approval.
