COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

SHERIFF’S OFFICE

 

DATE:

August 11, 2004

   

BOARD MEETING DATE:

August 31, 2004

 

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

   

FROM:

Sheriff Don Horsley

   

SUBJECT:

Agreement with the Sequoia Union High School District

RECOMMENDATION

Adopt a Resolution authorizing the President of the Board to execute an agreement with the Sequoia Union High School District (SUHSD) for provision of one (1) on-site School Resource Officer and management of a School Resource Officer Program, in the total amount of $49,875.

BACKGROUND

The Sheriff’s Office has assigned an on-site School Resource Officer (SRO) to Woodside High School since 1994. School safety and student development improve each year with the presence of an on-site SRO. Since the formation of the SRO program, a collaborative partnership with the school and surrounding local business/residential community has formed and matured, helping to combat important problems such as youth violence, gangs, and drugs.

In past years, there has been no fiscal obligation to the SUHSD for this service. As a result of the County’s budget deficits, and related Sheriff’s Office budgetary reductions in “discretionary” programs such as community policing and school resource Deputies, we approached Woodside High School and Sequoia District administration with a proposal to cost-share a negotiated portion of the assigned Deputy salary & benefit cost. This type of cost-sharing of SRO costs is becoming common around the State. Despite facing significant budget reductions in educational programs themselves this fiscal year, Sequoia readily agreed to the proposal, and also attended your Board’s budget hearings in June to express their support for the SRO program and willingness to partner with my department in sharing costs. I am very grateful for the consistent support the Sheriff’s Office has seen from all the schools and Districts served by our SRO program in the County, and also for the Board’s strong support during budget hearings for this very important and worthwhile prevention and intervention program.

DISCUSSION

The proposed Agreement provides Woodside High School with one full-time SRO Deputy during the regular school year, which commences in August and ends in June. (The Agreement does not presently cover any summer school period, as the District is presently reviewing options and locations for consolidation of 2005 summer educational programs.) The SRO has three very important roles when assigned to the school.

    § As a law-related education teacher, the SRO will teach traffic enforcement and other crime prevention and law enforcement related classes, as well as help conduct Sober Prom and Sober Graduation activities.

    § As a law-related counselor, the SRO will incorporate crime prevention into the school curriculum, assist school staff and administration with the development of safety and emergency preparedness procedures, and train campus aides to assist with incident pre-response activities, as well as routine safety functions on campus.

    § As a law enforcement officer, the SRO will help protect the lives and property of the citizens and students of the school; keep informed of elements and incidents that threaten the safety of the students and school and take appropriate actions; and investigate alleged criminal activity committed on or adjacent to school property.

Should the District determine, during the course of the regular academic year, that it will offer summer educational programming at Woodside High School, and desires to extend the term of the assigned SRO deputy for that period of time, the proposed Resolution accompanying this Agreement also authorizes the Sheriff to execute an amendment for that express purpose, in the interests of efficiency. Such extension would also include a provision of extension of cost-sharing.

County Counsel has reviewed and approved this Resolution and Agreement as to form.

VISION ALIGNMENT

Support for this Agreement aligns with Goal Number 7, “Maintain and enhance the public safety of all residents and visitors;” of the Shared Vision Commitment to “Ensure basic health and safety for all;” and Goal Number 22 “County and local governments effectively communicate, collaborate and develop strategic approaches to issues affecting the entire County;” of the Shared Vision Commitment to “Responsive, effective and collaborative government.” This Agreement contributes to these commitments by improving school safety and student development as well as building a collaborative partnership with the Sequoia Union High School District.

FISCAL IMPACT

The Agreement provides reimbursement ($49,875) from the Sequoia Union High School District for 50% of the deputy’s position cost, for the approximately 9.6-month school term. Revenue from this proposed Agreement was reviewed with the Board during budget hearings, and has been included in the Sheriff’s Office FY 2004-05 budget, helping to reduce the net County cost for the SRO program.