Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Police chief to present school‑resource‑officer proposal to district in April as trustees debate funding split
Summary
Police Chief Jason said he will present an updated SRO proposal to the school board in April; trustees discussed funding models used elsewhere and urged a cooperative funding approach involving the village, school district and township.
Police Chief Jason told the committee the department is coordinating with the school district on a renewed School Resource Officer (SRO) proposal and expects to present updated materials to the school board in April.
Chief Jason described the SRO role as broader than law enforcement enforcement alone, including mediation, student support and event staffing. He said continuing to assign patrol officers to school duties without a formal SRO is "unsustainable" given current staffing and budgets.
Trustees discussed funding models used by nearby jurisdictions. Chief Jason noted examples ranging from 70/30 splits to districts fully funding SROs; he said he has seen arrangements from roughly 50/50 up to 100% district funding, and that each intergovernmental agreement must be tailored to local capacity. Trustees asked that township and neighboring municipalities be approached for a cooperative contribution because students in the district live beyond village limits.
The chief and trustees agreed the next step is a presentation to the school board that clarifies the SRO's role, costs and possible IGA language; Chief Jason will bring the updated proposal to the school board in April and will inform the village board of the meeting date.
