Report Prepared by: Joe Weiss, Police Lieutenant, City of Merced Police Department
Title
SUBJECT: Approval of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Between the City of Merced and Merced Union High School District (MUHSD) for Police Services in the District’s Four (4) High Schools for a Term of Three Years, Fiscal Year 2019 - 2022, with an Option to Extend the Term for One Additional Year
REPORT IN BRIEF
Requests council approval of a MOU between Merced Union High School District and the City of Merced to provide Police Services at the District four (4) high schools.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion:
A. Approving a Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Merced and Merced Union High School District to provide police services in the District’s four high schools; and,
B. Authorizing the City Manager or the Assistant City Manager to execute the agreement; and,
C. Authorizing the Finance Officer to make the appropriate budget adjustments.
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.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
Council Requested Projects - High School District - School Resource Officers.
DISCUSSION
Historically, the Merced Police Department has assigned officers to the four high schools as School Resource Officers (SRO) on a full-time basis. The Merced Union High School District (MUHSD) and the Merced Police Department has decided to continue to staff the high schools with full-time School Resource Officers.
In the 2018-2019 school year the Merced Union High School District and the City of Merced negotiated an MOU to continue the School Resource Program. The school district would like to continue the SRO program and have signed a new MOU with the City of Merced.
Under the proposed three-year agreement, the Merced Police Department agrees to provide at least three (3) and up to four (4) full-time School Resource Officers to implement the program with an option to extend up to one year (June 30, 2023).
Under the agreement, the City agrees to provide and pay the SRO’s salary and employment benefits in accordance with the applicable salary schedules and employment practices of the Merced Police Department which are in effect during the time of this Agreement. During the term of the Agreement, MUHSD agrees to reimburse the City for 70% of the actual cost of each full-time SRO at step 5 of the City’s pay scale and any employment benefits in accordance with the applicable salary schedules and employment practices in place at the time of the agreement.
Pursuant to the agreement, the SRO’s will be assigned to Merced High School, Golden Valley High School, El Capitan High School and the East Campus Educational Center. When school is in session, the SRO will work an equivalent of 40 hours per week. MUHSD may request an SRO to work during the evening or weekends beyond the scheduled 40 hour work week (overtime). MUHSD 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 high 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 high 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
Not Applicable.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Merced and the Merced Union High School District