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Board approves SRO agreement amendment amid trustee debate over LCAP funding
Summary
The board approved a three‑year amendment to the City of Merced School Resource Officer agreement—covering a $9,667.26 difference from negotiations—while trustees and members of the public pressed for clarity about whether supplemental concentration (LCAP) funds should be used to pay officers.
The Merced City School District Board approved an amendment to the City of Merced school resource officer (SRO) agreement that accounts for negotiated salary changes, while trustees and members of the public debated whether the use of LCAP supplemental concentration funds is an appropriate funding source.
Dr. Ken Cooper explained the amendment was a funding adjustment tied to the city negotiations and listed the net increase for the district at $9,667.26. He said the district had previously approved the underlying SRO contract and this amendment is a limited change to reflect negotiated pay updates.
Public commenters urged the board to reconsider placing police officers in schools or questioned whether LCAP funds—meant to address achievement gaps for targeted student groups—should be used for SRO salaries. One speaker urged the board to "go back to the drawing board" and analyze the community impacts of policing children in schools.
Trustees asked technical questions about officer selection, the officers’ duties and whether SROs are a good fit for campus culture. Trustee Jeang asked for language similar to the Merced Union High School District MOU that requires updated salary information by May 31; other trustees asked staff to identify alternative funding sources.
The motion to approve the amendment included a stipulation that staff return with an analysis of alternate funding streams so the board can consider moving the cost off the LCAP supplemental concentration allocation. Trustee Brooks moved the motion; Trustee Delgado seconded. The roll call vote recorded each trustee voting yes; the amendment was approved unanimously with the condition that staff explore funding alternatives and report back.
Board members asked staff to provide details about how officers are selected and whether interviews or cultural fit assessments could be incorporated into future placement practices. Staff said the SROs assigned to campuses are experienced officers whose time in a school setting includes relationship building and student engagement as primary duties.
