Staff Recommends that the City Council approve the SRO Program Agreements with Billings Public Schools and Billings Catholic Schools.  
 

This item requests City Council approval of two Agreements for the School Resource Officer (SRO) Program with Billings Public Schools and Billings Catholic Schools for the period of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026. The agreements continue a long-standing collaborative program that enhances school safety through the placement of eight SROs and clearly define program objectives, roles, financial responsibilities, and termination provisions. Participating school partners will reimburse the City $429,967, offsetting approximately 59% of the total program cost. Approval maintains continuity of the SRO program and avoids the City absorbing the full cost or modifying the program.
 

The City of Billings, Billings Public Schools, and more recently, Billings Catholic Schools, have enjoyed a 30 year history with the School Resource Officer (SRO) program.  The attached Agreements make provisions for program objectives, guidelines, financial consideration and for terminating the agreements.  The Agreements are for the period of July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026.  The SRO Program is a collaborative effort by certified law enforcement officers, educators, students, parents, and the community, to offer a liaison program in the schools to reduce crime, drug abuse, violence, and provide a safe school environment.  The program also provides networking, public relations, and relationship building among the City, Police Department, the School District, and the community.  The City Council is being asked to approve two separate Agreements.  One combined Billings Catholic Schools (BCS) and Billings School District 2 (BSD2) for a shared (1) SRO, and the second with BSD2 for seven (7) SRO's.  The total amount would be $429,967.

These contracts are typically executed in late June or early July. However, execution was delayed this year due to the police labor contracts not being finalized, which was necessary to accurately calculate the agreed-upon pay increase.
 

The approximate total cost for the SRO positions is $732,616.  Billings Public Schools and Billings Catholic Schools will make a payment of $429,967 (59%) to help offset salary and benefit costs for the eight officers.  
 

City Council may:

• Approve the Agreements for the SRO Program; or,
• Not Approve the Agreements for the SRO Program.  If not approved, City would have to absorb $429,967 currently paid by BSD2 and BCS and/or modify or eliminate the program.