Board approves personnel report after heated exchange over School Resource Officer pay tiers

The Gary Community School Board approved the personnel report, which included a restructuring of pay tiers for School Resource Officers (SROs), certified police officers and non‑certified 'rovers.'

Board members asked whether salary adjustments were increases or decreases for affected staff and whether employees were given notice or opportunity to obtain required credentials before any pay reductions. District staff explained the new structure creates tiers — SRO (highest), certified police officers, and non‑certified rovers — and that pay was aligned to credentials and industry comparisons. Staff said SROs who hold required certifications and are active sworn officers would be paid at higher tiers while non‑certified rovers were placed at lower tiers (for example, certified officers moved to $32–$35 per hour, rovers without certification at lower rates) and that some employees would be encouraged to pursue credentialing opportunities.

Members of the public and a board member raised concerns about fairness, the potential for employees to experience sudden cuts, and whether affected staff had adequate time and support to pursue certifications. Officials said structural change realigned historic pay practices that had previously paid some non‑certified staff at rates higher than certified officers and that the district provided information about auxiliary/reserve training opportunities. The personnel motion passed on a roll-call vote recorded as four yes and one against.