To: Honorable Mayor and Members of Town Council
Through: David L. Corliss, Town Manager
From: Jack Cauley, Chief of Police
Title
Resolution Authorizing the Execution of the Agreement Between World Compass Academy and the Town of Castle Rock Regarding Funding for Police Officer to Serve as School Resource Officer (SRO)
Body
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Executive Summary
The safety and security of our student population in Castle Rock is top of mind for many within our community. No community is immune from the possibility of senseless acts of violence or other safety-related incidents, which have occurred at schools across the country including in our state and county. In Castle Rock, we have implemented a solid foundation of precautionary measures and best practices within the schools to keep students, professional staff and visitors as safe as possible. School Resource Officers are a key component to our safety strategy.
World Compass Academy (WCA), a charter school located in Castle Rock, has requested a full-time School Resource Officer (SRO) be assigned to their school. Currently, WCA participates in the School Resource Officer program but does not have a full-time SRO assigned to the school. They have agreed to pay for all costs associated with assigning an officer to their learning institution.
History of Past Town Council, Boards & Commissions, or Other Discussions
School Marshal Officer (SMO) Program
In 2012, as the result of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, Castle Rock Police collaborated with the Douglas County School District in the development and implementation of the School Marshal Officer (SMO) program. These two (2) officers were assigned to the elementary and alternative schools within Castle Rock to provide additional security as well as student mentoring. Eventually, the SMO program transitioned into the School Resource Officer (SRO) program outlined below.
Discussion
School Resource Officer (SRO) Program
Castle Rock Police Department and the Douglas County School District collaborate to ensure safe and secure environments for students, professional staff, and visitors. Presently, Castle Rock PD operates under an agreement with the Douglas County School District to provide six full-time School Resource Officers (SROs). Castle View High School, Castle Rock Middle School, and Mesa Middle School each benefit from having a dedicated SRO.
The SRO program also allocates two School Resource Officers to cover the remaining 15 additional schools within the Town. These schools include Castle Rock Elementary, Clear Sky Elementary, Flagstone Elementary, Meadow View Elementary, Rock Ridge Elementary, Sage Canyon Elementary, Soaring Hawk Elementary, South Ridge Elementary, Renaissance Elementary Magnet, Early Childhood Center South, Cloverleaf Elementary, Academy Charter, DC Oakes High School, Renaissance Secondary, and World Compass Academy. The remaining SRO of the six is a dedicated sergeant who supervises the SRO team.
In 2023, the Town approved Aspen View Academy (AVA) to independently fund an SRO, who now serves AVA full-time. With the addition of AVA, the SRO unit is comprised of six full-time SROs and one SRO Sergeant.
The Douglas County School District contributes fifty percent (50%) of the total SRO program costs, excluding AVA.
School Resource Officers’ Responsibilities
The role of the school resource officer is multi-faceted. School resource officers provide safe learning environments, offer valuable resources to school staff members, foster positive relationships with students, develop strategies to resolve problems affecting youth, and protect all students so they can reach their full potential.
SROs use a “triad concept” defined as educator (i.e., guest lecturer), informal counselor, and law enforcement officer. The officers provide a critical and vital layer to the multiple layers necessary for the safety and security of our student population. SROs work alongside students each and every school day. They build rapport and trusting relationships with the students. The SROs are in a role that allows them to utilize their relationships and knowledge of students to identify behavioral concerns early and to provide timely intervention.
Identifying and responding to behavioral concerns is critical to preventing violence in schools, and SROs play a major role in this area of responsibility.
SROs also work with school administrators on a number of safety-related issues such as:
• School safety and security plans
• Practicing drills (e.g., fire, lock out, lock down, shelter in place)
• Member of School Crisis Team
• Investigates and follows up on school threats
• Member of Threat Assessment Team
World Compass Academy (WCA) SRO Request
World Compass Academy (WCA) is a charter school located in Castle Rock. The school serves Pre-K through 8th grade. They are a tuition-free school serving approximately 733 students. World Compass Academy received their formal approval from the Douglas County Board of Education in August 2014.
World Compass Academy currently participates in the School Resource Program with 15 other schools. This year, WCA paid the Douglas County School District $14,883.00 to participate in the School Resource Program. WCA would like a full-time SRO assigned to their school similar to the SROs assigned to Castle View High School, Castle Rock Middle School and Mesa Middle School.
Leadership at World Compass reached out to the Castle Rock Police Department and requested a full-time School Resource Officer. The Castle Rock Police Department and World Compass Academy are proposing a five (5) year agreement. This agreement would provide WCA with a full-time SRO fully funded by WCA. This funding would include costs associated with the salary and benefits of the SRO as well as all necessary equipment, including a police vehicle.
Budget Impact
The impact to the budget would be net zero because World Compass Academy will fully reimburse the cost of the School Resource Officer (including all benefits), vehicle and all necessary equipment. The estimated cost for this fully-funded position at year one would be $254,859.73 The following years, after initial cost are paid in year one, are estimated to be no more than $159,565.48 Each year there will be no more than a five (5) percent increase in financial obligation, which includes increase in salary and benefits.
Staff Recommendation
Staff recommends approval of the Resolution.
Proposed Motion
“I move to approve the Resolution as introduced by title.”
Alternate Motions
“I move to approve the Resolution as introduced by title with the following changes ______”
“I move to continue this item to a future Town Council agenda on _____date to allow additional time to (list information needed).”
Attachments
Attachment A: Resolution
Attachment B: Proposed Agreement between World Compass Academy and Town of Castle Rock