The City of Billings and the Billings Public Schools have enjoyed a 22 year history with the School Resource Officer (SRO) Program.  The attached Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) make provisions for program objectives, guidelines, financial consideration and for terminating the agreements. The MOUs are for the period of July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018. 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, Ben Steele Middle School, high schools and middle schools in the amount of $305,683.

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 $305,683 that the Billings Public Schools contributes to the program or modify/eliminate the program.

The approximate total cost for the SRO positions is $542,587. The Billings Public Schools provide a payment of $305,683 ($72,382 for the Career Center, $56,820 for the middle schools and $68,186 for the high schools) to help defray some of the salary and benefit costs for the six officers. The cost for a SRO at Ben Steele Middle School is $72,382.  Also added to the expense of an SRO at Ben Steele Middle School are one-time costs for a Patrol car in the amount of $27,946 and $7,967 for uniforms and equipment. 

Staff recommends that the City Council approve the SRO Program Memoranda of Understanding with Billings Public Schools.