SUBJECT/RECOMMENDATION:
Title
Approve an agreement between the City of Clearwater and the School Board of Pinellas County, Florida providing for the continuation of the School Resource Officer program at Clearwater High School, Countryside High School, Oak Grove Middle School and Clearwater Fundamental for a three-year period commencing July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2021 and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same. (consent)
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SUMMARY:
Under the terms of the three-year agreement between the School Board of Pinellas County and the City of Clearwater, the City will provide law enforcement and related services to Clearwater High School (2 officers), Countryside High School (2 officers), Oak Grove Middle School (1 officer) and Clearwater Fundamental (1 officer) during the regular school years. The assigned officers will provide site security, instruction in law education, will serve as resource persons, conduct investigations, maintain the peace, make arrests if necessary and provide support services as needed.
The annual cost of salaries and benefits of six officers over a one-year period will be $468,356. Total annual reimbursement from the School Board will be $58,000.00 for each officer, for a total reimbursement of $348,000 to the City for SRO services during each year of the agreement. Additional funding needed ($120,356) will be provided by a transfer of Florida Contraband Forfeiture Fund revenues.
School Resource Officers have been assigned to Clearwater High School since January 1, 1985 and Countryside High School since January 1, 1986 and Oak Grove Middle School since August 27, 2007. This agreement includes increasing police officer staffing by one officer at each high school and an additional officer to begin coverage at Clearwater Fundamental.
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT:
A third quarter budget amendment will increase special project P1801, School Resource Officers by $348,000.00 in reimbursement revenues to recognize Pinellas County’s portion of funding. An amendment will also transfer $120,356 in fine revenue from special program 181-99330, Florida Contraband Forfeiture Fund, to P1801, School Resource Officers to fund the balance needed for the first year of the agreement.