TO: Mayor and City Commission
FROM: Samuel A. May, City Manager
DATE: July 31, 2018
Title
PROVIDING A SECOND SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER AT ATLANTIC WEST ELEMENTARY, MARGATE ELEMENTARY, LIBERTY ELEMENTARY AND MARGATE MIDDLE SCHOOLS.
BACKGROUND: At the March 7, 2018 City Commission meeting, the City Commission directed that the City Manager look into having a second SRO at each Margate school to be staffed by a part-time police officer hired at a flat rate.
Hiring and availability of a second SRO:
• Charles Webster, Coordinator of Legislative Affairs of the School Board of Broward County (SBBC), has advised that the SBBC is finding it difficult to staff the SRO and guardian positions required pursuant to the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act (hereinafter “Act”).
• The hiring and training of new SROs by the City of Margate could take up to nine months.
• A second law enforcement officer may be able to be provided for the 2018-2019 school year utilizing overtime. The use of a second law enforcement officer that is not an SRO has been given initial approval by SBBC staff.
Requirement to provide and fund SROs:
• The general consensus is that municipalities are not obligated to fund SROs in schools, and that the Act places the burden of funding the SRO program upon the school board.
• Funding under the Act is provided directly to area school boards.
Salary and benefits:
• The Commission could consider hiring a full-time seasonal employee, a full-time employee, or utilizing existing staff at overtime.
• If the second SRO worked the typical school schedule, they would be considered seasonal full-time rather than a part-time employee.
• The City would be required to contribute to the FRS.
• The City may be required to provide health insurance dependent upon the number of hours worked.
The placement of a second SRO or law enforcement officer in a City of Margate public school will require a new agreement or addendum to the proposed SRO Agreement with the SBBC.
RECOMMENDATION: For discussion and possible action by the City Commission.
FISCAL IMPACT: The draft FY 2018-2019 budget provided for salary only (no benefits) of four part-time SROs at $200,000.
Option 1*: Provide for four full-time seasonal employees - increase the 2018-2019 budget by approximately $90,000 for health insurance costs dependent upon the number of hours worked (not feasible to staff by the start of the 2018-2019 school year). An eight hour work day for all school days would require providing health insurance; however, a seven or seven and a half hour work day would not require health insurance.
Option 2*: Provide for four full-time employees - increase the 2018-2019 budget by approximately $125,000 for salary and health insurance costs. (not feasible to staff by the start of the 2018-2019 school year)
Option 3: Provide for four officers at an overtime rate - increase the 2018-2019 budget by approximately $170,000.
*This does not include the initial vehicle cost ($30,000 x 4) and equipment or training costs (see attached).
CONTACT PERSON: Samuel A. May, City Manager