The City of Billings and the Billings Public Schools have enjoyed a 20 year history with the School Resource Officer (SRO) Program.  The attached Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) makes provisions for program objectives, guidelines, financial consideration and for terminating the agreements.  The MOUs are for the period of July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016.  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.  City Council is being asked to approve the MOUs for the Career Center, middle schools and high schools in the amount of $195,159.

Council may:

• Approve the MOUs for the SRO Program; or
• Not approve the MOUs for the SRO Program.  The effect would be that the City would have to supply the $195,159 that the Billings Public Schools contributes to the program or modify/eliminate the program.

The approximate total cost for the SRO positions is $401,736.  The Billings Public Schools provide a payment of $195,159 ($73,793 for the Career Center, $55,166 for the middle schools and $66,200 for the high schools) to help defray some of the salary and benefit costs for the six officers. The cost for a SRO at the Career Center is $66,956.  Also added to the expense of an SRO at the Career Center is a patrol car for $27,350.  Billings Public Schools will pay this amount in four payments of $6,837, bringing the FY16 total for the Career Center SRO to $73,793.

Staff recommends Council approve the SRO Program Memorandum of Understanding with Billings Public Schools.