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Police chief recommends second school resource officer after campus gun incidents; council seeks cost-sharing with district
Summary
Chief recommended adding a second full-time SRO at Menlo‑Atherton High School and a specialty stipend for the therapy-dog handler after recent on-campus weapon incidents; council signaled support but asked staff to negotiate a higher cost-share and contract protections with the school district.
The police chief told the council that the department recommends adding a second full-time school resource officer (SRO) at Menlo‑Atherton High School and approving specialty pay for Sergeant Pong, the handler of the department’s therapy dog, Emmy.
The chief cited workload and safety concerns: the SRO program handles roughly 700 calls for service a school year and, he told the council, in recent weeks two 14-year-old students were found on campus with a loaded 9mm “ghost” gun fitted with an extended 30-round magazine — incidents staff said underline the need for increased on-campus coverage.
Council members discussed cost-sharing negotiations with the Sequoia Union High School District and recalled that the town’s original SRO agreement assumed roughly a 50% district contribution. Several councilors urged staff to begin negotiations at a higher share (75%) and to seek contract language that would require the district to cover severance or other costs if it later declined participation after the town hires an officer.
Police also proposed a modest specialty pay (about 2.5%, roughly $5,000) for the officer who handles the therapy-dog program; council members generally supported the stipend but requested a clear, written job description distinguishing therapy-dog duties from K-9 operations and said overtime should be limited.
Staff said the proposed SRO would be included in the budget as a frozen position until the town and the district reach an acceptable agreement and that no final personnel action would occur in the study session.
No formal vote was held; staff will pursue negotiations with the district and return with recommended contract language, cost estimates and an updated budget position.
