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Board approves three SRO contracts after debate over statutory language and local expectations
Summary
After discussion about language removed from draft contracts to match new state statute, the board approved three school resource officer contracts by roll call, 6–1, with Director Long voting no; directors said they will continue informal conversations about SRO roles and school culture.
The board pulled three school resource officer (SRO) contracts from the consent agenda for separate discussion. Director Brooks raised questions about specific language that had been stricken from the contracts—phrases that previously described SROs encouraging positive attitudes toward district policies and modeling responsible exercise of authority. Assistant superintendent (legal counsel and staff) responded that recent Minnesota statutory changes required specific contract language and some district language had to be removed to avoid conflict with state law.
Directors debated whether district expectations about officer conduct and school culture could be reintroduced through local agreements or through separate conversations with city partners. Director Vento pointed to the statute’s direction that SROs must not use their authority solely to enforce school rules and observed that the statute explicitly outlines limits on SRO disciplinary roles.
Director Holmes moved to approve all three SRO contracts; after further discussion the board conducted a roll-call vote. The clerk recorded votes: Evan Spector (yes), Director Brooks (yes), Chair (as recorded: "Chair Bowman") (yes), Director Bassett (yes), Director Holmes (yes), Director Long (no), Director Vento (yes). The motion passed 6–1.
Directors said they would continue conversations with city partners and police leadership about the philosophical and culture expectations for SROs, but the contracts as drafted—reflecting statutory language—were approved to meet timing needs for the school year.
