v . 0 03 P a g e | 1
December 6, 2022
ITEM TITLE
Agreement: Approve a Memorandum of Understanding with Sweetwater Union High School District for the School Resource Officer Program
Report Number: 22-0315
Location: No specific geographic location
Department: Police
Environmental Notice: The activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3) no environmental review is required.
Recommended Action
Adopt a resolution approving a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Sweetwater Union High School District for the School Resource Officer (SRO) Program.
SUMMARY
The Police Department has worked in partnership with school districts for many years to ensure the safety, welfare and best possible educational opportunities of students and staff on school campuses in Chula Vista.
Adoption of this resolution will approv e an MOU with Sweetwater Union High School District in FY 2022/2023 for the School Resource Officer Program.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The Director of Development Services has reviewed the proposed activity for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that the activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines because it will not result in a physical change in the environment; therefore, pursuant to Section 15060(c)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines, the activity is not subject to CEQA.
Thus, no environmental review is required.
BOARD/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
Not applicable.
P a g e | 2
DISCUSSION
For decades, Chula Vista Police Department (CVPD) has partnered with the Sweetwater Union High School District (SUHSD) and Chula Vista Elementary School District (CVESD) to ensure the safety, welfare and best possible educational opportunities of students and staff on school campuses in Chula Vista. Campus security is increased by the presence of police officers who also proactively and positively interact with students.
Police officer presence on campus improves communication between the Police Department and the youth of the community.
It is the goal of the Police Department’s SRO program to enhance the safety, security and success of the District’s scholastic institutions by maintaining close, consistent and productive relationships with students, their families, and staff . This program was designed to help support an environment that offers an equal opportunity for student academic, social and community success by foster ing a safe environment. On- campus, School Resource Officers focus on establishing a positive partnership with students and staff, providing early intervention services to youth and overall improved community relations through prevention, intervention, education, and progressive enforcement strategies.
During FY 2021/2022, the SRO program consisted of one Police Sergeant, one Police Agent, ten (10) Police Officers, and one Secretary. The SRO program has long provided services to 62 public schools (11 high schools, 7 middle schools, 49 elementary schools , and 8 alternative and adult schools associated with the districts) in the City of Chula Vista and serves a student population of more than 70,000 students.
Since 2010, a portion of the costs for the SRO program has been shared between the City of Chula Vista, the CVESD, and the SUHSD. The SUHSD originally provided funding for slightly less than the cost of one -half (0.5) Police Agent and four (4.0) Police Officers. These four and one-half sworn personnel provided services to 20 sites and scholastic institutions and more than 40,000 students within the SUHSD.
Recent discussions between the Police Department and the SUHSD showed that the actual personnel costs of the SRO program have been increasing since 2010/2011, while the cost reimbursed by SUHSD h ad remained the same. In 2020/2021 the total cost for the SUHSD -portion of the SRO program was $834,391, but the amount reimbursed by the District remained at $500,000 (the same amount since 2010/2011). Both the Police Department and the District acknowl edged that reduced funding, coupled with increased community demand for emergency public safety services, would reduce the Police Department’s capacity to provide non-emergency services to the SUHSD. As a result of reduced funding, the number of Police Officers assigned to SUHSD was reduced from four Police Officers to three Police Officers for 2020/2021 and beyond.
On August 8, 2022, the SUHSD School Board approved the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the SRO program during the 2022/2023 school year. The approved cost to SUHSD is $501,000 in 2022/2023.
The MOU covers a one -year period of July 1, 2022 to June 3 0, 2023, and may be extended for two (2) additional one-year periods upon written approval of both parties.
The SRO MOU with Chula Vista Elementary School District (CVESD) has already been executed for the 2022/2023 school year, which was approved by Council on October 4, 2022.
P a g e | 3
DECISION-MAKER CONFLICT
Staff has reviewed the decision contemplated by this action and has determined that it is not site-specific and consequently, the 500-foot rule found in California Code of Regulations Title 2, section 18702.2(a)(11), is not applicable to this decision for purposes of determining a disqualifying real property-related financial conflict of interest under the Political Reform Act (Cal. Gov't Code § 87100, et seq.).
Staff is not independently aware and has not be en informed by any City Council member of any other fact that may constitute a basis for a decision maker conflict of interest in this matter.
CURRENT-YEAR FISCAL IMPACT
The reimbursement from Sweetwater Union High School District partially covers the personnel costs of one Police Agent and three Police Officers in the SRO program. Since these personnel costs are already included in the Police Department’s baseline budget, no additional appropriations are required by accepting this Memorandum of Understanding.
The table below outlines SRO personnel costs, along with corresponding reimbursement. SUHSD funds 77% of the personnel costs.
POSITIONS FY 22/23
Cost
SUHSD
Reimbursement Difference
0.5 FTE SRO Agent $98,568
3 SROs $550,857
TOTAL SRO COST $649,425 $501,000 $148,425
% reimbursed 77%
ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT
The Police Department will continue providing updated personnel costs of the SRO program when drafting subsequent MOUs, and will seek Council approval of those MOUs.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 1: Memorandum of Understanding with Sweetwater Union High School District for School Resource Officer Program
Staff Contact: Executive Captain Phil Collum, Police Department