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September 19, 2023
ITEM TITLE
Agreement: Approve Memoranda of Understanding with Sweetwater Union High School District and Chula Vista Elementary School District for the School Resource Officer Program Report Number: 2023-0232
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 Memoranda of Understanding with Sweetwater Union High School District and Chula Vista Elementary School District for the School Resource Officer Program.
SUMMARY
The Police Department has worked in cooperation 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 approve Memoranda of Understanding with both the Sweetwater Union High School District and Chula Vista Elementary School District 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.
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DISCUSSION
For decades, Chula Vista Police Department (CVPD) has worked in conjunction 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 prese nce 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 School Resource Officer ( 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 fostering a safe environment . On-campus, School Resource Officers focus on establishing positive relationships 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 2022/2023, the SRO program consisted of one Police Sergeant, one Police Agent, tw elve Police Officers, and one Secretary . The SRO program has long provided services to 64 public schools (11 high schools, 7 middle schools, 46 elementary schools), along with 8 alternative and adult schools associated with the districts in the City of Chula Vista and serves a student population of more than 60,000 students.
Sweetwater Union High School District
The SRO program with SUHSD has been in place since 2010/2011. In 2022/2023, the SUHSD provided funding for slightly less than the cost of one-half (0.5) Police Agent and three (3.0) Police Officers . These three and one-half sworn personnel provided services to 20 sites and scholastic institutions and more than 35,000 students within the SUHSD.
Discussions between the Police Department and SUHSD showed that the actual personnel costs of the SRO program have been increasing since 2010/2011, while the cost reimbursed by SUHSD had remained the same. In 2022/2023 the total cost for the SUHSD-portion of the SRO program was $558,778, but the amount reimbursed by SUHSD remained at $500,000 (the same amount since 2010/2011) . Both the Police Department and SUHSD acknowledged that reduced funding, coupled with increased community demand for emergency public safety services, would reduce the Police Depa rtment’s capacity to provide non - emergency services to the SUHSD.
On August 14, 2023, the SUHSD School Board approved the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the SRO program during the 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 school years. The approved cost to SUHSD is $597,290 annually for both school years. The MOU covers a two-year period of July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2025, and may be extended for two (2) additional one-year periods upon written approval of both parties.
Chula Vista Elementary School District
In 2022/2 023, CVESD approved an increase in funding to supporting adding one (1.0) Police Officer to provide services to the district, resulting in funding for the cost of one-half (0.5) Police Agent and four (4.0) Police Officers . These four and one -half sworn per sonnel provided services to more than 46 sites and P a g e | 3
scholastic institutions and more than 25,000 students within the CVESD. In 2022/2023, the cost for the CVESD-portion of the SRO program was $715,326.
On August 9, 2023, the CVESD School Board approved the MOU for the SRO program during the 2023/2024 school year that included costs for four and one-half sworn personnel. The cost to CVESD totals $764,647 in 2023/2024. The MOU covers a one-year period of July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024, and may be extended for two (2) additional one-year periods upon written approval of both parties.
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 been 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 reimbursements from Sweetwater Union High School District and Chula Vista Elementary School District partially cover the personnel costs of one Police Agent and seven Police Officers in the SRO program . The reimbursements as outlined in the new MOU’s are expected to exceed budgeted r evenue by $145,611. The personnel costs are already included in the Police Department’s baseline budget ; therefore, no additional appropriations are required by accepting each MOU. The increased revenue and any necessary budget amendments will be included in the Quarterly Financial Report process.
The table below outlines SRO personnel costs for each school district.
SUHSD CVESD
3 SROs and 0.5 Agent 4 SROs and 0.5 Agent
Cost Description
Cost of
3 SROs
50% cost
of Agent TOTAL
Cost of
4 SROs
50% cost
of Agent TOTAL
Salaries $345,288 $66,660 $411,948 $460,384 $66,660 $527,044 Differential - Education $1,542 $1,800 $3,342 $2,056 $1,800 $3,856 Laundry Allowance $900 $150 $1,050 $1,200 $150 $1,350 Flex/Insurance $59,643 $9,941 $69,584 $79,524 $9,941 $89,465 PERS $72,615 $12,542 $85,157 $96,820 $12,542 $109,362 Medicare $5,043 $995 $6,038 $6,724 $995 $7,719
Retiree Medical Trust $3,600 $600 $4,200 $4,800 $600 $5,400 Workers Comp $13,440 $2,531 $15,971 $17,920 $2,531 $20,451 PERSONNEL COSTS $502,071 $95,219 $597,290 $669,428 $95,219 $764,647
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.
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ATTACHMENTS
1. MOU with Sweetwater Union High School District for School Resource Officer Program
2. MOU with Chula Vista Elementary School District for School Resource Officer Program Staff Contact: Police Captain Dan Peak
Police Chief Roxana Kennedy