HomeMy WebLinkAbout18- Agreement - Bozeman School District 7 - School Resource Officer (SRO) AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT, made and entered into this 13th day of August 2018, by and between the
CITY OF BOZEMAN, a municipal corporation hereinafter referred to as "CITY", and
BOZEMAN SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 7,hereinafter referred to as "SCHOOL".
WHEREAS: The CITY and SCHOOL face the challenge of keeping pace with a growing, ever-
changing community. In particular, the increases in emergency calls at or around area schools
have increased over the past decade and continue to challenge police resources. Serious crime
by or involving young people, drug and alcohol abuse, campus violence, and potential for gang
activity necessitate a strong working relationship between the CITY and SCHOOL. It is
necessary to enforce district policy, serious behavior infractions, criminal law, crime prevention,
attendance requirements and to develop strategies that will contribute to student and staff safety
and progress toward the SCHOOL's Long Range Strategic Plan.
Results of this complex and changing environment include increased budget constraints, and the
need to reevaluate the role of the police agency in the community, especially in the schools. An
intergovernmental cooperation arrangement between the CITY and SCHOOL is deemed an
efficient and desirable means for effectively addressing juvenile-related crime and other
problems. The SRO is instrumental in providing a safe environment conducive to the learning
process. Students, staff and our community have a heightened perception of safety due to the
work of the SRO. Building relationships with students, faculty, staff, administrators and parents
is important to the quality of the trust generated by the SRO on and off the campus. Positive
relationships yield great results in the solvability of criminal acts, the prevention of crime,
successful drug interventions, drug interdictions and the ability to effectively address non-
criminal student needs.
WHEREAS: The parties to this Agreement believe it is in their best interests to come to an
Agreement creating and utilizing the position of"School Resource Officer" (SRO) as a means to
enforce the compulsory attendance provisions of M.C.A. 20-5-101. Et. Seq., and to meet the
demand for investigation, detection and prevention of juvenile criminal activity of Bozeman
School District and other property within the city limits of Bozeman.
NOW, THEREFORE, IN CONSIDERATION OF THE MUTUAL AGREEMENTS AND
COVENANTS CONTAINED HEREIN,IT IS HEREBY AGREED AS FOLLOWS:
1. The CITY and SCHOOL shall mutually agree on the number of SROs to be hired.
The number of primary SROs will be evaluated on an annual basis and allocated
appropriately based on enrollment and services needs and expectations. The
assignment of other trained SROs in a part-time basis shall be at the mutual
agreement of both the CITY and SCHOOL.
2. The CITY shall designate trained and qualified officers(s) as SRO, assigned to assist
other school officials in their effort to maintain a proper educational environmental i
for the students. In doing so, the SROs will, among others, assist in enforcing
compulsory attendance and disciplinary polices and participate in the investigation of
criminal activities involving juveniles,particularly when involving students or related
to school district locations. The CITY shall maintain supervisory authority over the
CITY OF BOZEMAN-SCHOOL DISTRICT 7 SRO AGREEMENT 7-1-2018 TO 6-30-2023
officer(s). It is acknowledged and agreed by the parties that said officer(s) will
remain employee(s) of the CITY.
3. SROs shall: abide by SCHOOL policies;provide a presence and education to students
and staff that help prevent crime; conduct investigations of criminal acts that occur in
the schools and involve students or staff;; make arrests when necessary; provide
testimony at expulsion hearings; assist classroom teachers by being an authoritative
resource on law enforcement specific and related topics; develop and deliver a variety
of lesson plans and community presentations related to law enforcement-related
topics such as search and seizure, miranda and law enforcement as a career. In
addition, SRO's will provide specialized lesson plans such as Bullying, Stalking,
Sexual Assault and Sexual Predation by Drug, Internet Safety, Rights vs.
Responsibilities of a Citizen,Effects of Alcohol and Commonly Abused Drugs, etc.
4. The SCHOOL shall be responsible for cost sharing of actual wage and benefit
amounts earned by the primary SRO(s) in the performance of their duties in
accordance with CITY payroll standards. The SCHOOL shall pay one-half(1/2) of
the actual annual wage and benefit amounts in each fiscal year. The CITY will
continue to act as fiscal agent for the officer(s).
The CITY will provide the equipment and resources necessary for SROs to perform
their duties. The SCHOOL and CITY will share costs for new computer(s), as
needed. The SCHOOL will pay the CITY one half of the cost per SRO per year to
share in the cost of cell phone service for each SRO.
6. The CITY will provide proper and adequate training for the SROs. The SCHOOL
shall pay for 1/2 of the costs associated with the National Association of School
Resource Officers (NASRO) Conference or SRO Basic training, as mutually
determined by the CITY and the SCHOOL.
7. The CITY will ensure to the extent reasonable that the SRO will be available for duty
on school grounds by encouraging the officer(s) to take vacation only when school is
not in session. The SCHOOL shall recognize the officer(s)work schedule is
specified by contract.
8. The SCHOOL shall recognize the lawful authority of the SRO and cooperate in their
efforts to enforce the law. The SRO(s) act as part of the School's Administrative
Team, as determined by the SCHOOL.
9. The SCHOOL shall provide a primary office for each SRO and allow access to and
use of office-related equipment by the SRO as needed, at no cost to the CITY. As
necessary,the SCHOOL will provide an additional office(s) as determined mutually
between the CITY and SCHOOL.
10. The SROs may request assistance from school support staff to assist in clerical related
tasks that are not in conflict with the Confidential Criminal Justice Information
System. This assistance will be provided at no cost to the CITY.
CITY OF BOZEMAN -SCHOOL DISTRICT 7 SRO AGREEMENT 7-1-2018 TO 6-30-2023
11. The SCHOOL acknowledges and agrees that the SRO is/are subject to call out by the
CITY on short notice for major emergencies, and required as part of their duties to
appear in conferences, at court hearings and at other related functions.
12. The SCHOOL shall designate someone of authority in the school(s)to act as a contact
person for the SRO for the purpose of sharing information and discussing areas of
concern (line of accountability).
13. The SRO(s) shall assist the SCHOOL in the development review of law enforcement
and safety-related policies and procedures, to include related training or drills as
deemed necessary.
14. The SCHOOL and the SRO(s) shall jointly participate in threat assessment meetings
to determine the level of threat a student poses and to assist in the creation of a safety
plan for that student.
15. The SCHOOL and the SRO(s) shall jointly participate in Interdisciplinary Team
meetings.
16. The SCHOOL and the SRO(s) shall jointly participate in other meetings as
appropriate to safety and prevention activities of the SCHOOL.
Termination/Extension:
The term of this agreement shall commence on the July 1, 2018 and extend through June 30,
2019,unless revoked by mutual consent of the parties in writing. Either party may terminate this
agreement,without cause,upon furnishing the other sixty (60) days written notice thereof.
The agreement may be renewed on an annual basis thereafter in writing executed by the
Bozeman City Manager and Bozeman School District#7 Superintendent. The annual
administrative extensions shall not exceed four additional years fiom the original approval date.
(June 30, 2021)
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have signed and executed the foregoing
agreeme the day and ear first above written.
BOZE S HOO DISTRI T#7 CITY O OZ AN
By: By: 1
Robert Watson,Ed.D., Superintendent Andrea Surratt, City Mdnager
A ST• ATTEST: pV Bo0 .
Mike Waterman,District Clerk Robin' Crough, City Clerk
188
CITY OF BOZEMAN -SCHOOL DISTRICT 7 SRO AGREEMENT 7-1-2018 TO 6-30-2023' Tj 'c