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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 06.hDate: September 06, 2016 Item No. SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER (SRO) AGREEMENT WITH LAKEVILLE AREA PUBLIC SCHOOLS Proposed Action Staff recommends adoption of the following motion: Approve agreement with Lakeville Area Public Schools for the School Resource Officers. Overview The School Resource Officer Agreement allows the Police Department and School District to join together in a mutual effort to create and maintain a safe learning environment and to develop better community understanding of law and law enforcement with the goal of reducing crime committed by juveniles and young adults. The Lakeville Police Department entered into a School Resource Officer Agreement with Lakeville Area Public Schools in 1996. The Agreement will be reviewed again in August 2019. Primary Issues to Consider • The school district pays full costs of the SRO for 186 days in alignment with the Education Minnesota Lakeville contract. • The total value of the SRO Agreement is $265,167.00. Lakeville Area Public Schools provides $211,264.00 of the total and Lakeville Police Department provides $53,903.00. • This Agreement can be cancelled by the Lakeville Police Department on June 30, with written notice provided to the other party at least six months prior to the effective date of termination. • The current Agreement reflects slight updates to the previous Agreement. Supporting Information • Agreement — Signature Required Financial Impact: $53,903.00 Budgeted: Y❑x NO Source: Annual Budget Related Documents: (CIP, ERP, etc.): Envision Lakeville Community Values: Safety Throughout the Community Report Completed by: Jeff Long, Police Chief 0 A. �. ' • •�.�. La KPS,; i '�'�'y' AREA PUBLIC SCHOOLS SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER AGREEMENT THIS AGREEMENT is made and entered into by and between the CITY OF LAKEVILLE, a Minnesota municipal corporation, (hereafter "City") and LAKEVILLE AREA PUBLIC SCHOOLS, a Minnesota public school corporation (hereafter "School District"). SECTION 1. PURPOSE By this agreement the City and School District desire to join in a mutual effort to create and maintain a safe learning environment and to develop better community understanding of law and law enforcement with the goal of reducing crime committed by juveniles and young adults. SECTION 2. TERM The term of this Agreement shall begin on August 15, 2016 and end on August 14, 2019, unless terminated earlier as provided herein. The parties may renew this agreement only by separate written agreement or addendum hereto, which must be executed by both parties. SECTION 3. PHILOSOPHY/PROGRAM STRUCTURE The School Resource Officer (SRO) shall utilize the "triad" concept of school-based policing as set forth by the National Association of School Resource Officers (hereinto "NASRO") which is the true and tested strength of the SRO program. The triad concept divides SRO responsibilities into three areas: Teacher, Counselor, and Law Enforcement Officer. The SRO Program aims to create and maintain safe and secure learning environments for students and staff and to establish relationships and rapport between the SROs and the students, staff and administration. The men and women of the SRO program lead by example and promote a positive image of law enforcement to our school community. Under this framework, the SRO is first and foremost a law enforcement officer for the providing enforcement agency. The SRO shall be responsible for carrying out all duties and responsibilities of a law enforcement officer and shall remain at all times under the control through the chain of command of the law enforcement agency. School officials shall ensure that non -criminal student disciplinary matters remain the responsibility of school staff and not the SRO. Enforcement of the code of student conduct is the responsibility of administrators and teachers. The SRO shall refrain from being involved in the enforcement of disciplinary rules that do not constitute violations of law, except to support staff in maintaining a safe school environment (see attached flowchart). SRO Agreement SECTION 4. ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE A. Composition: The City shall assign two (2) full time law enforcement officers to serve as SROs; one at Lakeville North High School and one at Lakeville South High School. As directed by the School District, the SRO shall also perform job duties at other schools in the School District. The City shall retain the exclusive right to exercise the customary functions of management. B. Selection. SRO positions will be filled per Lakeville Police Department directives and selection process. The School District will participate in interviewing SRO candidates and will provide a recommendation to the City regarding its choice of SRO. The City will make the final selection of any SRO vacancy. C. Supervision: Administrative control of the SRO Program will be the responsibility of the Lakeville Police Department. While at school sites, the SRO will report to the principal or the principal's designee in her/his assigned high school regarding day-to-day operations. The lieutenant assigned to supervise the SROs will support them in all department matters and will consult regularly with the Executive Director of Student Services and the principals or principals' designees. The SROs are employed and retained by the City, and in no event will be considered an employee of the School District. SECTION 5. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES A. SRO. The responsibilities of the SRO shall include but are not limited to: The SRO will enforce criminal law and protect students, staff and the public at large; investigate crimes committed on campus; establish rapport with students, parents, staff, and administrators; collaborate with student support services staff on individual students, as appropriate; serve as a confidential counselor to students and parents; solicit the support and understanding of students, staff and the community for the school resource program; promote awareness of law enforcement functions; and provide presentations and supervised classroom instruction on a variety of law related education and other topics deemed appropriate and approved by the SRO's agency supervisor and a school administrator. 2 SRO Agreement All SROs will be carefully selected law enforcement officers who have received or will receive specialized SRO training in the use of police powers and authority in a school environment. The SRO shall be highly visible throughout the campus. The SRO will wear the Lakeville Police Department issued uniform with all normal accessories and equipment, including a firearm, unless otherwise directed the Police Department. The SRO will confer with the principal to develop plans and strategies to prevent and/or minimize dangerous situations on or near the campus or involving students at school -related activities. The SRO will comply with all laws, regulations, and Board of Education policies applicable to employees of the School District, including but not limited to laws, regulations and policies regarding access to confidential student records and/or the detention, investigation, and searching of students on school premises, provided the SRO shall under no circumstances be required or expected to act or in a manner inconsistent with their duties as law enforcement officers. The use of confidential school records by the SRO shall be done only with the approval of the principal or designee and as allowed under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). The SRO will be familiar with community agencies offering assistance to youths and their families such as mental health clinics, drug treatment centers, etc., and may make referrals when appropriate. The SRO shall attend school special events as needed (for example, PTO meetings). Upon request and approval by the School District, any other expenses generated beyond the assigned workday (for example, school dances, football games, etc.) by the SRO or any other Lakeville Police Officer in his/her absence, will be billed to the School District as they occur. It is the responsibility of the SRO to report schedule conflicts to the School District. 3 SRO Agreement B. SRO SUPERVISOR. The responsibilities of the SRO supervisor will include but are not be limited to: Ensure SRO compliance with Police Department directives. Coordinate scheduling and work hours of the SRO's (Vacation requests, sick leave, etc.). Work with the schools to make any needed adjustments to the SRO program throughout the school year. Complete the SRO's annual performance evaluation. The SRO supervisor will request feedback from the schools designated contact person during the evaluation process. C. SCHOOLS. The responsibilities of the Schools will include but are not limited to: Provide the SRO with a private, appropriately furnished and climate controlled office space at each high school that can be secured. This shall include but is not limited to a desk with drawers, chair, filing cabinet for files and records which can be properly locked and secured, and a telephone. Give the SRO reasonable opportunity to address students, teachers, school administrators, and parents about the SRO program, goals and objectives. Administrators shall seek input from the SRO regarding criminal justice problems relating to students and site security issues. When school personnel discover weapons, drugs, alcohol, or the illegal contraband on school property, the SRO shall be notified as soon as reasonably possible. If no juvenile or criminal charges are to be filed and no administrative action is to be taken by the Schools, the contraband shall be confiscated by the SRO according to Police Department policy and properly disposed of. School personnel shall timely notify the SRO with the names of specific individuals who are not allowed on school property, and shall notify the SRO of any anticipated parental problems resulting from disciplinary action taken against a student. SRO Agreement Work cooperatively with the Police Department to make any needed adjustments to the SRO program throughout the year. Provide the Police Department with updated copies of all laws, rules, regulations, and Board of Education policies applicable to employees of the School, including but not limited to laws, rules, regulations and policies regarding access to confidential student records and/or the detention, investigation, and searching of students on school premises. SECTION 6. ENFORCEMENT Although the SRO has been placed in a formal educational environment, he/she are not relieved of the official duties as an enforcement officer. The SRO shall intervene when it is necessary to prevent any criminal act or maintain a safe school environment. Citations shall be issued and arrests made when appropriate and in accordance with Minnesota state law and department policy. The Lakeville Police Department will reserve the right to temporarily remove the SRO in the event that additional officers are needed during a critical incident or natural disaster. SECTION 7. TERM PAYMENT. School district pays full costs of the SRO for 186 days in alignment with the Education Minnesota Lakeville contract. Costs include: A. SRO Salaries (including overtime) B. Health and Dental Insurance C. Life Insurance D. Disability Insurance E. P.E.R.A. F. Payroll Taxes G. Accrued Vacation and Sick Leave H. Clothing Allowance I. Worker's Compensation Premium K. Public Professional Liability Insurance J. Vehicle Expense (mileage reimbursement at current IRS rate) L. Cell Phone M. Professional Development (relevant to the SRO position) SRO Agreement The City of Lakeville is responsible for all other time and costs. The City shall provide the School District with an itemized bill on a monthly schedule. The School District shall pay the bill within thirty (30) days of receipt. SECTION 8. HOLD HARMLESS The SROs are City employees. The City shall indemnify and hold harmless, and defend the School District, its elected officials and employees against any and all liability, loss, costs, damages, expenses, claims or actions which the School District, its officers and employees may hereafter sustain, incur or be required to pay, arising out of or by any reason of any negligent or willful act or omission of the City, its agents, servants or employees, in the execution, performance, or failure to adequately perform the City's obligations pursuant to this Agreement. SECTION 9. TERMINATION This Agreement may be terminated by either party, with or without cause, on June 30, with written notice provided to the other party at least six months prior to the effective date of termination. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this instrument to be executed by the respective officers thereof and the respective seals to be affixed thereto. Dated CITY OF LAKEVILLE (SEAL) BY: Dated yJr�Y//i