AGENDA CAPTION:
Title
Consider approval of Resolution 2021-173R, approving the Terms and Conditions of an Interlocal Agreement between City of San Marcos and the San Marcos Consolidated Independent School District (SMCISD) relating to the City’s provision of Officers to serve as School Resource Officers; authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute the agreement on behalf of the City; and declaring an effective date.
Body
Meeting date: October 19, 2021
Department: Police Department
Amount & Source of Funding
Funds Required: Funds included in General Fund proposed FY 2021-2022 budget
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Fiscal Note:
Prior Council Action: ILA has been approved in all previous fiscal years.
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Background Information:
The City and SMCISD participate cooperatively in a program to fund School Resource Officers for four campuses within San Marcos. The program provides for five (5) Officers assigned to the following campuses: San Marcos High School (2), Miller Middle School (1), Goodnight Middle School (1), and the Lamar Campus (1) and for the reimbursement to the City by SMCISD for half the cost of salaries and benefits of the assigned officers. The purpose of this Interlocal Agreement is to set forth the expectations of both the school district and the City pertaining to the program. There are changes to this ILA as compared to last year’s agreement based on comments received last year that have been worked through by City and SMCISD staff.
The San Marcos Police Department is aware of an ongoing research project titled “A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Comprehensive, Research-Based Framework for Implementing School-Based Law Enforcement” that is being administered pursuant to a contract between Texas State University and San Marcos CISD. The purpose of this project is to identify a comprehensive framework for implementing school-based law enforcement. The Framework for Implementing School-Based Law Enforcement Programs is a comprehensive, research-based framework that encompasses the recommendations put forward in previous research examining school policing programs. The goal of this framework is to assist educators and law enforcement officers with the successful integration of law enforcement into an educational environment. The framework provides best practices and guidance on how to implement a program through the following five components:
1) Designating a program committee and program liaison
2) Establishing tailored, specific program goals
3) Training school police officers and school staff
4) Monitoring progress toward goals
5) Adjusting the program as needed
Short-term outcomes of using this framework may include improved communication between school staff and police officers, increased positive student interactions with school police, and integrated community stakeholders. Long-term school impact may include improved school climate; decreased use of exclusionary discipline; reduced victimization and offending behavior; positive perceptions of the police; and increased investment and integration into school. This is a nationally funded research project that is still underway.
The San Marcos CISD is currently undergoing framework evaluation through December 31, 2021. The evaluation was delayed due to the pandemic. Consequently, the best practices and lessons learned in our community have not been finalized nor shared. When they are, the San Marcos Police Department will work with the Superintendent and his leadership team to implement the identified best practices for moving forward. Because the pandemic is still ongoing and threatening, it is unknown when the research project will be finalized. Staff recommends the proposed ILA be approved with the realization that the Department and District will both evaluate the completed framework for future contract consideration.
Council Committee, Board/Commission Action:
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Alternatives:
An alternative to approving this ILA is to deny it and end this partnership with SMCISD. Staff does not support this alternative.
Recommendation:
This is an annual agreement. Council has approved prior versions of this agreement. Staff recommends approval of the ILA for continued services to students and staff in SMCISD schools.