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HomeMy WebLinkAbout8A - School Liaison OfficerSTAFF AGENDA REPORT AGENDA #: PREPARED BY: SUBJECT: DATE: FI~NK BOYLES, CITY MANAGER'S.. ~// CONSIDER SCHOOL DISTRICT REQI~ST LIAISON OFFICER PROGRAM __~ AUGUST 15, 1994 FOR FUNDING SCHOOL BACKGROUND: DISCUSSION: The Violence Prevention Committee of the Prior Lake/Savage School District has recommended the initiation of the School Liaison Officer Program as one of a number of components in combating violence in our schools. The program as contemplated would require the designation of one Prior Lake police officer as school liaison officer, and the hiring of a new police officer to backfill for the lost position. The total estimated cost for the first year of the program is about $65,000. The issue is the degree of funding which the Council believes the city should provide for this program. The initiation of the school liaison officer has received general support from the public as well as representatives of the school district, City of Savage, Townships and City of Prior Lake. The question becomes one of funding. While all bodies are committed to the program, there is little desire to make a financial commitment. I have already requested funding support from the Townships (approximately $3000 each) and the City of Savage (approximately $5000). All three parties have declined. The rationale of the City of Savage is that they would support a School Liaison Officer Program serving schools within their city proper. They believe that Prior Lake should do the same within its city limits. The Townships questioned their legal authority to provide funding for this sort of program, and have referred the matter to their attorney. The School District has committed to funding half of the program. Unfortunately, this commitment came before they understood the actual costs. Their estimate of $25,000 as half of the annual cost is lower than the $32,500 which would be fifty percent of the expected first year program cost of $65,000. The County has Committed to provide funding on the basis of $2.00 per capita (3869 students, or approximately $7,700. The County's $7,700, Contribution would not be available until January 1, 1995. The same is true of any contribution from the City of Prior Lake. We have not provided any budgeted funds in the 1994 budget. It is likely that the police department will over expend this year's budget since the cost of training a new officer to backfill for the school liaison officer will be approximately $13,000 according to the Police Chief. The School District -1- 4629 Dakota St. S.E., Prior Lake, Minnesota 55372-1714 / Ph. (612) 447-4230 / Fax (612) 447-4245 AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER ISSUES: ALTERNATIVES: indicates that their $25,000 contribution is available commencing July 1, 1994 and could be used to fund the first four months of the program from September through December, 1994. Attached is a letter from Les Sonnabend which asks that the City of Prior Lake assume the responsibility for the first year of the program for approximately $32,300 which is the remaining program support needed when the school district contribution of $25,000 plus the County's contribution of $7,700 is subtracted from the total first year cost of approximately $65,000. If the Council were to endorse this request, the school district would be responsible for 38% of the program, the County for 12% and Prior Lake for 50% percent. The School District has agreed that in exchange for this first year level of funding support by the city that in subsequent years they will assume responsibility for fifty percent of the program without a dollar maximum. The City would be responsible for the remaining cost of the program minus the County's $2.00 per capita contribution which has been committed for three years. The school liaison officer is available to the City as a police officer for something less than three months during the summer (minus personal vacation time) to supplement our peak activity months. There is some benefit in this fact, and perhaps even a modest decline in overtime costs associated with the additional officer. Some intangible preventative benefit will also accrue to the city as a result of the School Liaison Officer program. Additional time savings will also result from the officer working directly at the school building rather than at the city offices. We hope the program will also enhance a team oriented (City/School District) approach to school violence and law enforcement. On the basis of these benefits the School District argues that the City should assume a share larger than 25% of the program costs. The Council has the following alternatives: Concur with the School District and provide $32,300 for the 1994/1995 program year which will make up the difference between the total cost of the program, the School District's $25,000 and the County's $7,700 contribution. In exchange the School will commit to providing 50% of future year program funding without limit, leaving the City responsible for program costs above and beyond the County contribution or any contributions which may be made by other benefitting parties, including the Townships, City of Savage or any grants or donations which may be received. Authorize the initial funding level equivalent to 25% or about $16,250 of the total program costs recognizing that the School District will be responsible for making up any difference between this contribution, the County contribution and the total cost of the program. -2- RECOMMENDATION: ACTION REQUIRED: FBAG8D.WRT 3. Provide no financial support to the program. 4. Defer the matter for additional information. Staff recommends alternative #1. Motion, second to adopt Alternate #1 which confirms that the City's added funding level in 1994/1995 is expressly in exchange for a 50% funding level by the School District in future years at no maximum dollar amount and further that the City's first year funding would not be available until January 1, 1995. The School District's $25,000 funding must be available to the City by September 1 in total to finance this program during 1994. Les Sonnabend will be present to address questions should the Council desire. -3- INDEPENDENT SCHOO. L DISTRICT 719 Box 539 - 5.3.00 WestWood Drive South~~_~;~.~ Prior Lake, Minnesota 55372 ~?~ ,5' ~.~,?:-~., August 2, 1994 DISTRICT SERVICES CENTER (612) 447-2185 Dr. Les Sonnabend Superintendent Dr. Jerry Spies Curriculum & Personnel Jere Phillips Business Affairs SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL (612) 447-4131 Fred Blaisdell Principal HIDDEN OAKS MIDDLE SCHOOL (612) 447-2188 Dr. Craig Olson Principal GRAINWOOD ELEMENTARY (612) 440-1091 Ronald Machacek Principal FIVE HAWKS ELEMENTARY (612) 447-4139 Darwin Fosse Principal WESTWOOD ELEMENTARY (612) 447-2178 Rickey Ravnholdt Principal Frank Boyles, City Manager City of Prior Lake 4629 Dakota Street SE Prior Lake, MN 55372 Dear City Manager Boyles: This letter is a follow-up of cur wide-ranging conversation, held at noon on July 27th, but specifically the police liaison officer for the 1994-95 school year. The school district is committed to half of the cost of the police liaison officer but we have not budgeted adequately for that for this year. Our budget is $25,000 and that would be available at the beginning of this school year, in September. I don't know how you might wish to use this police officer at times when he would not be in our buildings. Our standard school year, with teachers, is 185 days. Our standard school year, with students, is approximately 175 days. We have a week and a half off for the winter break, another week off for the spring break and an approximate 38 to 39 week schedule. There would be 13 weeks available for the city to use this officer as you see fit for non-public school type duty. This would not take into account, of course, whatever vacation time is accrued by this individual. In any case, my guess is that 20% - 25% of his yearly contract would be for the exclusive use of the City of Pdor Lake, to offset other vacation schedules or overtime that other officers might have to pull. I believe this could help justify the additional portion of cost to the city. I appreciate your interest in this program, which will greatly benefit our students and our residents, as we continue to try to find the answer for some of the problems our young community members face. If I can offer further information, please do not hesitate to call. -'~Sincerely~~'~ DR. LES SONN^BEND cc: Marge Kinney Superintendent of Schools LS/kaj Serving Prior Lake, Savage, Spring Lake Township, Credit River Township, Sand Creek Township and Cedar Lake Township