August 25, 2026
Agenda Item No. 15
TO:
HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM:
David Miner, Chief of Police - 949-644-3701, [email protected] PREPARED BY:
Shawn Randell, Deputy Chief - 949-644-3750, [email protected] TITLE:
Amendment No. Two to the School Resource Officer Program Agreement ABSTRACT:
The Police Department requests the City Council’s approval of Amendment No. Two to the school resource officer (SRO) agreement with the Newport-Mesa Unified School District (NMUSD), which continues the deployment of three SROs, funded equally by the City of Newport Beach and the NMUSD.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Determine that the action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) and 15060(c)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines because it will not result in a physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly; and Authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute Amendment No. Two to Agreement Between the City of Newport Beach and the Newport-Mesa Unified School District to Participate in the School Resource Officer Program.
DISCUSSION:
The City of Newport Beach (City) and the NMUSD have partnered since 2000 to provide SRO services at NMUSD schools within the City. The program originally provided two full-time officers assigned to Corona del Mar High School and Newport Harbor High School, with responsibility for services at an additional middle school. It has periodically evolved to reflect changing school safety needs and operational priorities. The City and the NMUSD have periodically updated the agreement to modify officer assignments, expand services to additional campuses, and establish appropriate funding and cost-sharing arrangements. In 2018, the City authorized the addition of a third SRO to enhance coverage and support for NMUSD schools. In 2020, the City and the NMUSD adopted an updated agreement that included provisions addressing funding during extended school closures. It was renewed annually.
The most recent agreement, approved by the City Council on July 8, 2025, further expanded the partnership's focus on school safety and security. It strengthened coordination between SROs and the NMUSD, increased officers' access to school safety resources and information, set expectations for SRO involvement in safety planning and threat assessments, and required school-site vulnerability assessments. The agreement also included funding provisions to maintain a minimum of two officers on duty during school days and to cover overtime associated with after-hours incidents. This allows the Police Department to assign one SRO to Newport Harbor High School, one SRO to Corona del Mar High School and Corona del Mar Middle School, and one SRO to cover the high schools when the designated high school SRO is not on duty. The “cover SRO” is based at Ensign Middle School and also serves NMUSD elementary schools within the city as needed. These SRO assignments are subject to change at the discretion of the police chief.
This Fiscal Year 2025-26 agreement was modified in Amendment No. One to ensure the continuity of these services through September 30, 2026. Amendment No. Two requests the extension of the current agreement through August 24, 2027. The terms of this agreement extension remain the same; the NMUSD retains the existing deployments with the same three SROs and incorporates the updates previously approved by the City Council for the FY 2025-26 agreement.
The goal of the SRO program is to work collaboratively within the school community to provide safe learning environments; foster positive relationships with students, educators, parents, and community members; and develop strategies to resolve problems that affect youth so they can reach their full potential. The role of the SRO includes promoting a positive image of law enforcement to school children and school communities.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The adopted budget includes sufficient funding for this amendment. Per the agreement, the full salary and benefits for three school resource officers (police officers) will be funded equally through the Police Department’s budget (50 percent) and the NMUSD (50 percent). Funding for the three police officers is included in the Police Department’s Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget, as are revenues from the NMUSD in the amount of $396,808.00. The expenses will be charged to salary and benefits accounts in the Police Department, Detective Division (Organization Code 01035355).
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
Staff recommends the City Council find this action is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) (the activity will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment) and 15060(c)(3) (the activity is not a project as defined in Section 15378) of the CEQA Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3, because it has no potential for resulting in physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly.
NOTICING:
The agenda item has been noticed according to the Brown Act (72 hours in advance of the meeting at which the City Council considers the item).
ATTACHMENT:
Attachment A - Amendment No. Two with Exhibit A (SRO Compensation Rate) Amendment No. Two to the School Resource Officer Program Agreement August 25, 2026
CITY OF CITY OF
CITY OF
CITY OF
City Council Staff Report COUNCIL STAFF REPORT City Council Staff Report COUNCIL STAFF REPORT NEWPORT BEACH NEWPORT BEACH City Council Staff Report COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
City Council Staff Report COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
NEWPORT BEACH
NEWPORT BEACH