HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-09-21; City Council; ; Memorandum of Understanding Between the City of Carlsbad and the Carlsbad Unified School District for the School Resource Officer Program for the 2021-22 School YearMeeting Date:
To:
From:
Staff Contact:
Subject:
Sept. 21, 2021
Mayor and City Council
Scott Chadwick, City Manager
Cindy Anderson, Senior Management Analyst
cindy.anderson@carlsbadca.gov, 760-931-2170
Memorandum of Understanding Between the City of Carlsbad and the
Carlsbad Unified School District for the School Resource Officer Program
for the 2021-22 School Year
Recommended Action
Approve a memorandum of understanding between the City of Carlsbad and Carlsbad Unified
School District for the School Resource Officer Program for the 2021-22 school year.
Executive Summary
The City of Carlsbad and the Carlsbad Unified School District have an ongoing partnership to
ensure the safety of students and staff on the district’s school campuses. For the 2021-22
school year, the Carlsbad Police Department will provide the school district with three school
resource officers. One officer will be assigned to Carlsbad High School for 10 months, one will
be assigned to Sage Creek High School for 10 months and one will be assigned to three middle
schools and nine elementary schools within the district for 10 months.
The school district will pay for half the cost of these assignments. The district’s share is
$201,735, which will be used to reimburse the city’s General Fund. The memorandum is
effective from Aug. 24, 2021 to June 24, 2022.
As outlined in Chapter 3.28 of the Carlsbad Municipal Code, the City Council’s approval is
required for procurement of services and professional service for which the cost to the city is
more than $100,000 per agreement year.
Discussion
Campus security is enhanced by the presence of police officers who interact with students in a
positive and proactive manner. The Police Department has provided the Carlsbad Unified
School District with at least one school resource officer every school year since at least 1995. In
2018, the district requested a second dedicated officer for Sage Creek High School. This request
was approved by the City Council, and in 2019, a third officer was approved for three middle
schools within the district. The Police Department also has two additional “floater” officers who
provide services at other campuses throughout the city but are not specifically assigned to any
schools. These two officers are fully funded by the City of Carlsbad without any reimbursement
from any school district.
Sept. 21, 2021 Item #2 Page 1 of 13
The duties of the school resource officers include:
•Responding to all law enforcement-related matters as they occur during regular
school hours while the officers are on or near their assigned campuses
•Documenting all incidents and crimes and providing follow-up investigations as
needed
•Attending sporting events, school activities, parent conferences and meetings as
needed
•Conducting criminal investigations as assigned by the supervisor of the Family
Services Unit in ongoing criminal investigations connected to the school campus
•Working with school staff in matters of mutual concerns both on and off campus
•Acting as a liaison in areas relating to the School Attendance Review Board and a
point of contact for Child Protective Service visits, truancy sweeps, home
visitations, district-wide critical response plan training, school safety plans and
training of school campus supervisors and lunchtime-duty personnel.
Given the council’s approval, the Police Department will agree to provide the Carlsbad Unified
School District with three dedicated school officers for the 2021-22 school year. One officer will
be assigned to Carlsbad High School for 10 months, one to Sage Creek High School for 10
months and one to three middle schools and nine elementary schools within the district for 10
months. The district will pay for half the cost of the three full-time officers for the months they
are assigned to the schools.
If Carlsbad High School, Sage Creek High School, Valley Middle School, Calavera Hills Middle
School or Aviara Oaks Middle School have restricted on-campus activities because of the
COVID-19 pandemic, the Carlsbad Unified School District may request that no school resource
officers be provided while on-campus student learning is reduced or suspended. If the district
makes such a request, the amount the district will pay will be prorated to deduct for any
months for which no officers are requested.
The annual cost for one mid-step officer is $161,388, which includes salaries and benefits but
does not include equipment and maintenance. Carlsbad Unified School District’s share for the
2021-22 school year would be a maximum of $201,735. The memorandum of understanding is
effective from Aug. 24, 2021 to June 24, 2022. The district will pay the City of Carlsbad through
a reimbursement check at the end of the school year.
Under the California Department of Public Health Order issued on Aug 11, 2021, school
resource officers are also required to comply with mandatory COVID-19 vaccine verification
requirements, or the city must ensure the school resource officers working at CUSD facilities
are tested for COVID-19 weekly. CUSD will offer Carlsbad Police Department school resource
officers COVID-19 testing at a frequency of at least once per week and at no cost to the City of
Carlsbad or to the officers. A certification of compliance is attached to the memorandum of
understanding.
Fiscal Analysis
The Police Department budget includes $865,335 for the cost of the entire school resource
officer program. The district’s cost-sharing payment of a maximum of $201,735 will be used to
Sept. 21, 2021 Item #2 Page 2 of 13
reimburse the General Fund and reduce the program’s impact on the city’s budget. The
breakdown of the costs and cost sharing is shown in the following table:
Annual police officer personnel expenses
Expense Rate Cost per officer
Salary Mid-range $97,434
Education pay Flat rate 4,810
Overtime 7.500% 7,308
Holiday pay 132 hours 6,183
Life insurance 0.048% 47
Accidental death and disability insurance 0.024% 23
Health insurance Flat rate 22,033
Long-term disability insurance 0.430% 419
Short-term disability insurance 0.476% 464
Medicare 1.450% 1,413
Unemployment 0.500% 487
Retirement (CalPERS) 20.390% 19,867
Uniform allowance Flat rate 900
Total personnel costs $161,388
Note: Percentages are percent of salary.
School resource officer cost allocation
Carlsbad High Sage Creek
High
Middle
schools Total
Annual personnel costs $161,388 161,388 161,388 $484,164
Monthly personnel cost 13,449 13,449 13,449 40,347
School year cost 134,490 134,490 134,490 403,470
Half share cost to school $67,245 67,245 67,245 $201,735
Note: Amounts are rounded to the nearest dollar.
Next Steps
Given the council’s approval, the Police Department will agree to provide three dedicated
student resource officers to the Carlsbad Unified School District. The district will be billed for a
maximum of $201,735 for the 2021-22 school year. The services will begin when on-campus
learning begins for students.
Environmental Evaluation (CEQA)
This action does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental
Quality Act under Public Resources Code section 21065 in that it has no potential to cause
either a direct physical change in the environment or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical
change in the environment and therefore does not require environmental review.
Public Notification
This item was noticed in keeping with the Ralph M. Brown Act and it was available for public
viewing and review at least 72 hours before the scheduled meeting date.
Exhibits
1. City Council resolution
Sept. 21, 2021 Item #2 Page 3 of 13
RESOLUTION NO. 2021-212
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARLSBAD,
CALIFORNIA, APPROVING A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
BETWEEN THE CITY OF CARLSBAD AND CARLSBAD UNIFIED SCHOOL
DISTRICT FOR SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER PROGRAM FOR THE 2021-22
SCHOOL YEAR
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Carlsbad, California has determined that it is in the
public's interest to approve the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Carlsbad Unified
School District; and
WHEREAS, the City of Carlsbad Police Department and the Carlsbad Unified School District
(CUSD) have an ongoing partnership to ensure the safety of students and staff on CUSD school
campuses; and
WHEREAS, the Police Department has provided the CUSD with a school resource officer every
school year since at least 1995; and
WHEREAS, for the 2021-22 school year, one school resource officer will be assigned to Carlsbad
High School, one school resource officer will be assigned to Sage Creek High School, and one school
resource officer will be assigned to the three middle schools and nine elementary schools within CUSD
during the months when CUSD students are on campus; and
WHEREAS, CUSD agrees to pay for one-half the cost ofthree full-time police officers during the
months they are assigned to the schools; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the California Department of Public Health Order, issued by Tomas
Aragon and Gavin Newsom on Aug 11, 2021, school resource officers are also required to comply with
mandatory COVID-19 vaccine verification requirements or ensure weekly COVID-19 testing of school
resource officers working at CUSD facilities. CUSD will offer Carlsbad Police Department school
resource officers COVID-19 testing at a frequency of at least once per week and at no cost to the City
of Carlsbad or to the officers.
Sept. 21, 2021 Item #2 Page 4 of 13
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
BETWEEN
CARLSBAD UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
AND
CITY OF CARLSBAD
The City of Carlsbad Police Department and the Carlsbad Unified School District desire to
provide a safe and secure, teaching and learning environment for all students and staff within
the City of Carlsbad by protecting life and property.
Ensuring the safety of students and staff on school campuses in Carlsbad is a priority to the
school administration and the police department. Campus security will be enhanced by the
presence of police officers that will interact with the students in both a positive and proactive
manner. Police officers on campus will help improve relations between the police department
and the youth of the community. Therefore, the Carlsbad Unified School District and the City of
Carlsbad have the following expectations and agree to undertake the listed responsibilities to
achieve these mutual objectives:
A. SCHOOL DISTRICT'S ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITY
1. To ensure student welfare portal to portal;
2. To develop procedures to handle campus safety issues;
3. To establish and follow procedures for referring police involvement; and
4. To cooperate with and support in a proactive manner the City of Carlsbad Police
Department to ensure the success of programs involving students, school personnel,
parents and the community.
B. SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER'S ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITY
1. To provide enforcement/prevention/intervention by:
• Providing a uniformed police officer presence at Carlsbad High School, Sage
Creek High School, the middle and elementary schools, Carlsbad Village Academy,
and district offices located in the City of Carlsbad;
• Responding to all law enforcement related matters as they occur during regular
school hours while the officer is on or near the above facilities and able to do so;
Sept. 21, 2021 Item #2 Page 6 of 13
Memorandum of Understanding
2021-2022 School Year
Page 3 5 -
6. School Resource Officers will make every effort to use established best practices for
de-escalation outlined in the Countywide Crisis Management Philosophy document
(Policy 301) when interacting with any student in crisis. Additionally, School Resource
Officers will be familiar with, and, when feasible, assist with the CUSD Site Emergency
Procedures for Special Needs Students as appropriate.
7. When dealing with a student in crisis, specifically those students with special needs or
other considerations, School Resource Officers should, if reasonable under the
circumstances, work collaboratively with school staff to resolve the situation, while
attempting to respect individual education plan expectations as advised by school
personnel.
C. TERM OF AGREEMENT
This Memorandum of Understanding will remain in effect for the 2021-2022 public school fiscal
year. Either party will have the right to cancel this Memorandum of Understanding upon
90 days advance written notice during the term of this agreement.
D. SPAN OF CONTROL/JURISDICTION
One full-time police officer will be assigned to provide the School Resource Program at
Carlsbad High School, Carlsbad Village Academy, and district offices located in the City of
Carlsbad.
One full-time police officer will be assigned to provide the School Resource Program at Sage
Creek High School and district offices located in the City of Carlsbad.
One full-time police officer will .be assigned to provide the School Resource Program at
Valley Middle School, Calavera Hills Middle School, Aviara Oaks Middle School, and the nine
CUSD elementary schools.
Enforcement/prevention/education/training/proactive activities will take place at these
facilities and at public meeting places within the community as they relate to the activities
at these facilities.
In accordance with public health guidance, the City of Carlsbad Police Department will
ensure its officers abide by all public health ordinances and requirements, including
directives from the state regarding COVID protocols for K-12 settings.
The officer will remain under the direction and control of the City of Carlsbad Police
Sept. 21, 2021 Item #2 Page 8 of 13
Memorandum of Understanding
-2021-2022 School Vear
Page 4 5 -
Department. Requests for work assignments from these facilities will be given to the
Family Services sergeant of the Carlsbad Police Department, who will thereafter assess
the request and direct the school resource officer to respond appropriately.
E. RESOURCE
Resource and local management will be coordinated at:
Carlsbad Unified School District, 6225 El Camino Real, Carlsbad, California, 92009, (760)
331-5000.
City of Carlsbad Police Department, 2560 Orion Way, Carlsbad, California, 92010, (760)
9312100.
F. COST
Cost sharing will be based upon the services of one-half of one full-time police officer for
ten months of the school year for Carlsbad High School, one-half of one full-time police
officer for ten months of the school year for Sage Creek High School, and one half of one
full time police officer for ten months of the school year for Valley Middle School, Calavera
Hills Middle School, and Aviara Oaks Middle School. The portion funded by the District will
be prorated based upon the school year at a rate of one half of the total salary of three
fulltime sworn police officers for a total cost of $201,735. See Exhibit A for details.
COVID-19 CAMPUS CLOSURES: If either Carlsbad High School, Sage Creek High School,
Valley Middle School, Calavera Hills Middle School, or Aviara Oaks Middle School have
restricted on campus activities due to COVID-19, the Carlsbad Unified School District may
request that no School Resource Officers be provided while on-campus student learning is
reduced or suspended. If Carlsbad Unified School District requests that no School Resource
Officers be provided while on campus.student learning is reduced or suspended due to
COVID-19, the total cost to be funded by CUSD will be prorated to deduct for any months
for which no School Resource Officers are requested.
This Memorandum of Understanding will be effective August 24, 2021 and the Carlsbad
Unified School District will pay annually to the Finance Director of the City of Carlsbad the
agreed amount as outlined above. If the agreement is canceled as herein permitted, the
city shall return to the district the portion of such payment allocable to the period of the
term subsequent to the effective date of cancellation.
Sept. 21, 2021 Item #2 Page 9 of 13
Memorandum of Understanding
2021-2022 School Year
Page 5 5 -
COVID-19: CERTIFICATION OF COMPLIANCE WITH PUBLIC HEALTH ORDER: The
Certification of Compliance: California Vaccine Verification for School Resources Officers in
Schools is attached as Exhibit Band incorporated as if fully set forth herein.
G. SICK/INJURY /EMERGENCY ABSENCES
The City of Carlsbad Police Department will provide general law enforcement services to
Carlsbad High School, the middle and elementary schools, Carlsbad Village Academy, and
the district offices via the patrol division whenever the regularly assigned school resource
.· officer is temporarily unable to provide said services due to illness, injury or emergency
leave, or when called away to perform other duties that preclude the officer's presence at
the school. In the event of such occurrence, calls for service will be handled based on need
in relation to other demands for police services.
H. CITY EMPLOYEES
City employees who perform duties under this agreement are not, for any purposes
whatsoever, employees of the School District.
I. NO RIGHTS IN THIRD PARTIES
This Memorandum is not intended to benefit any third parties, create rights in favor of any
third parties, or create a special relationship between any City of Carlsbad employee and
any other person.
J. LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION
Pursuant to Section 895.4 of the Government Code, the City of Carlsbad and Carlsbad
Unified School District agree that each will assume the full liability imposed upon ·it for any
of its officers, agents, or employees for injury caused by a negligent or wrongful act or
omission occurring in the performance of this agreement, and each party agrees to
indemnify and hold harmless the other party for any loss, cost, or expense that may be
imposed upon such other party by the virtue of Sections 895.2 and 895.6 of the Government
Code.
Sept. 21, 2021 Item #2 Page 10 of 13