HCPS FL Logo Chief of Staff
Action Item
DATE: Tuesday, May 24, 2016
TO: School Board Members
FROM: Jeff Eakins, Superintendent
SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS
Approve Request to Research Additional Funding Relating to School Resource Officers (SRO) in our Elementary Schools
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In the Fall of 2015, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) applied for and was awarded the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grant to provide five deputies assigned in our elementary schools.  The COPS grant is a competitive grant program that provides funding to address the full-time sworn officer needs of state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies nationwide to increase their community policing capacity and crime prevention efforts.

The Sheriff's Office has requested that the district consider partnering in an application for the 2016 COPS grant. This grant provides 75 percent funding for approved entry-level salaries and fringe benefits of newly hired and/or rehired full-time sworn career law enforcement officers over three years (36 months).  The Sheriff's Office and the School District will each pay 50 percent of the remaining cost to assign five additional SROs in our elementary schools.  We are seeking approval to research the feasibility of applying for the grant, including researching sources for securing the matching funds relating to the provision of the additional SROs in our elementary schools.

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
• Align financial resources to support the district's strategic goals • Demonstrate best financial practices • Promote a culture of safety, which is free from harassment, bullying, and aggression
FINANCIAL IMPACT (Budgeted:  No)
The estimated school district proposed portion is:

  • Year 1:  $  41,473.50
  • Year 2:  $  86,450.50
  • Year 3:  $134,148.50

Total Years 1-3 = $262,072.50

EVALUATION
A joint evaluation will be developed to assess the effectiveness of the security enhancement.
SUBMITTED BY: 
    Alberto Vázquez, Ed.D.

  Chief of Staff
(813) 272-4895
    C 9.07
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20160524_761 (Board Meeting) * Section C Item# 9.07