Report Prepared by: Joey Perez, Police Captain, City of Merced Police Department
Title
SUBJECT: Approval of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Between the City of Merced and Merced City School District (MCSD) for Police Services in the District’s Schools for a Term of Three Years, Fiscal Years 2025 - 2028
REPORT IN BRIEF
Considers approving an MOU between Merced City School District and the City of Merced to provide Police Services at the District’s schools with two (2) School Resource Officers (SRO).
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion:
A. Approving a Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Merced and Merced City School District to provide police services in the district’s schools; and,
B. Authorizing the City Manager to execute the Memorandum of Understanding.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve, as recommended by staff; or,
2. Approve, subject to other than recommended by staff; or,
3. Deny; or,
4. Refer to staff for reconsideration of specific items; or,
5. Continue to a future City Council meeting.
AUTHORITY
Charter of the City of Merced, Section 200.
DISCUSSION
Historically, the Merced Police Department has assigned two (2) School Resource Officers (SROs) to the four (4) middle schools in the Merced City School District (MCSD) on a full-time basis during the school year. MCSD and the City of Merced have agreed to continue this arrangement through a new three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), effective July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2028.
Under the MOU, the City will provide two (2) full-time SROs, with salaries and employment benefits paid according to the Merced Police Department’s established compensation practices. MCSD will reimburse the City for 70% of the total operational and administrative costs associated with the program. The SROs return to City related duties during summer breaks, and school holidays. Costs for the SROs are based on the projected maximum funding of an officer at Step 6 with all eligible incentive pay. The estimated 70% reimbursement from MCSD for each fiscal year is as follows:
FY 25/26 $410,523.98
FY 26/27 $426,508.88
FY 27/28 $428,055.18
The City will invoice MCSD for actual cost of the officers that are SRO’s and for actual hours worked in the school. Based on historical trends, it is unlikely that the City will receive all of the revenue included in the agreement. For FY 25-26, $337,000 was included in the FY 25-26 revenue budget for MCSD SRO’s, which is approximately 82% of the revenue amount.
Pursuant to the agreement, the SRO’s will be assigned to primarily work at Hoover, Tenaya, Rivera and Cruickshank middle schools. When school is in session, the SRO will work an equivalent of 40 hours per week. MCSD may request an SRO to work during the evening or weekends beyond the scheduled 40-hour work week (overtime). MCSD shall pay the City all costs that the City incurs in providing additional services.
The SRO’s will be assigned to work with school administrators, staff, and students at the District’s middle schools. The objective is to promote and facilitate a safe learning environment for staff and students.
In addition to providing basic police services in the middle schools, implementing the School Resource Officer Program is one intervention strategy that has been effective in identifying at-risk youth and providing services that help the schools and the families of at-risk youth to establish and maintain acceptable standards of behavior in schools and in their neighborhoods.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
No additional appropriation is needed; both the revenues and expenditures of two (2) School Resource Officers were accounted for in the FY2025/26 adopted budget. Future years will be included in the budget process.
ATTACHMENTS
1. MCSD MOU