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Gilroy Unified trustees decline to authorize applying for COPS grant after debate over long‑term cost
Summary
District staff briefed trustees on the federal 2024 COPS hiring grant as a possible funding source for a third school‑resource officer. Trustees raised concerns that the grant would cover only a small share of ongoing costs and chose not to move to apply at this meeting.
Mister Mesa, a district staff member, told the Gilroy Unified School District Board of Education on May 2 that the U.S. Department of Justice 2024 Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) hiring grant would provide a maximum of $125,000 over three years and is not regionally adjusted. Mesa said that structure results in the grant covering roughly 15% of the district’s share for a new school‑resource officer (SRO), leaving the district and the city responsible for escalating costs after the grant ends.
Why it matters: trustees worried the grant’s terms would create a long‑term budget obligation. Mesa warned the fourth year requires the hiring agency to fully fund the officer and that the district’s share could rise as salaries and pension costs increase.
Board debate…
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